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THE ROYAL NAVY
A HISTORY
FROM THE EARLIEST TIMES TO THE PRESENT
• •S&jztsn.' t
<?
A History
From the Earliest Times to the Present
By
Wm. Laird Clowes
Fe/lcnu of King's College, London ; Gold Medallist U.S. Naval Institute ;
Han. Member of the Royal United Service Institution
Assisted by
Sir Clements Markham, K.C.B., P.R.G.S.
Captain A. T. Mahan, U.S.N.
Mr. H. W. Wilson
Col. Theodore Roosevelt, Governor of New York
Mr. L. Carr Laugh ton
Thirty Photogravures
and
Hundreds of Pull Page and other
Illustrations
Maps, Charts
etc.
In Six Volumes
VOL. IV.
LONDON
SAMPSON Low, MARSTON ANIJ COMPANY
£t. Suiuftan'sf fcottfe,
1899
Dfl
LONDON:
PRINTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND SONS, LIMITKD,
STAMFORD STREET AND CHAKIXG CROSS.
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME IV.
THE present volume contains the record of the Minor Operations of
the Koyal Navy between 1763 and 1792, by Mr. H. W. Wilson ; the
story of Naval Voyages and Discoveries during the same period, by
Sir Clements Markham ; the Civil History of the Navy from 1793
to 1802, and an account of the Major Maritime Operations during
the war of the French Eevolution, by myself ; a summary of the
Minor Operations of that war, by Mr. H. W. Wilson ; and a notice
of Naval Voyages and Discoveries, 1793-1802, by Sir Clements
Markham.
Mr. Wilson, while illustrating his subject with much fresh matter
derived from hitherto unexplored sources, has, as will be seen, utilised
Beatson as the canvas on which to do the main part of the work
dealing with the operations of 1763 to 1792. Similarly, both he and
I have, almost perforce, taken James's invaluable volumes as the
canvas for the period from 1793 to 1802. James, in common with
the most painstaking and conscientious of chroniclers, occasionally
falls into error ; but it is impossible to be as familiar as I now am
with his monumental work, and with the authorities on which it is
based, without marvelling at his extraordinary accuracy and careful-
ness. It is not often, assisted though one is to-day by many aids
which were not at his disposal, that one is able successfully to
challenge either his statements or his conclusions. For example,
his judgment on the conduct of Nelson at Naples in 1799 is, I think,
the judgment which must still be come to by every fair-minded man
who has before him the large volume of additional evidence which
has become available since James wrote. James had no blind
dislike to the French, and no unreasonable prejudices against the
other nationalities with which Great Britain found herself at issue
during the period under review ; and, almost invariably, he does
VI INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME IV.
0
even-handed justice to all. It is not until he has to describe the
events of the American War of 1812 that he suffers himself to he
misled by indefensible, and indeed unavowable, bias, and becomes
to any serious extent untrustworthy. I make no apology, therefore,
for having used James as the substructure for the whole of Chapter
XXXV., and for having, in numerous passages, adopted almost his
own words in telling the story. But I should add that I have never
done this without, so far as possible, first satisfying myself, by
independent research, that his version is in accordance with the
facts. Minutes of courts-martial, admirals' dispatches, captains'
letters, private logs and letters, ships' logs — used, however, with
discretion — and my own large collections of original documents *
relating to the affairs of the time, have enabled me to make, of
course, some emendations, and many additions, to James's narra-
tive ; yet, as a rule, I have found that it calls for singularly
little correction. It is only in the matter of criticism, and of
application of the story of the past to the circumstances of the
present and the future, that his work seems to leave much to be
desired.
Owing to a misconception, for which I was, I fear, partly to
blame, Mr. Wilson's contribution to the history of the events of
1793-1802 is somewhat briefer and less detailed than it might have
been. Mr. Wilson unwittingly devoted some of the space allotted
to him to the consideration of events which had been already dealt
with in other chapters ; and, with regret, I found myself obliged to
delete all such passages as involved any repetition.
For help in the preparation of the present volume, or for the loan
of documents and illustrative material, I have to express my thanks
to, among many others, the late Lord Vernon, the Eev. A. G.
Kealy, E.N., Mr. C. Constable, Mrs. Nelson Ward, Mr. E. W. H.
Fyers, Mr. Henry Carey Baird, of Philadelphia, and, for further use
of his unrivalled collection of naval medals, H.S.H. Captain Prince
Louis of Battenberg, E.N., G.C.B., who has throughout taken a
most kindly interest in the progress of the work. I have also
received invaluable aid from the Eight Hon. G. J. Goschen, M.P.,
First Lord of the Admiralty, by whose special direction information
which I could scarcely have obtained elsewhere has been carefully
compiled for me by an Admiralty official, to whom, though his name
1 Inclusive of the voluminous collection made by Rear-Admiral Sir Home Eiggs
Popham.
INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME IV. Vll
remains unknown to me, I would tender my heartfelt thanks. As
usual, Mr. R. B. Marston has combined the offices of a friend with
those of a publisher, and has been indefatigable in keeping me
informed of all such fresh publications, newly-published corre-
spondence, and out-of-the-way entries in booksellers' catalogues as
he has thought would interest me and benefit the work. He has
also charged himself with the forwarding to me in Switzerland from
time to time of consignments of books from my own library in
London. I would, moreover, take this opportunity of expressing
my indebtedness to Mr. Alfred Harmsworth, to whom the steady
progress of my labours, in spite of my continued ill health, has of
late owed much.
I would call attention to the unpublished portrait of Lord Nelson,
which forms the frontispiece of this volume. I possess some scores
of portraits of the great seaman, and I have seen hundreds of others ;
but I know of no picture of him which is at the same time so
characteristic and so beautiful. I am greatly obliged to the gentle-
man who has allowed me the use of the original painting.
Although in the present volume, and in the one which is to
follow it, Nelson occupies the leading place, I have not thought it
either necessary or wise to say much about that great hero's private
life. I have thus made but few references to the very interesting
batch of Nelson letters printed, with a running comment, in ' Litera-
ture,' during the months of February, March, and April, 1898.
Those letters, written by Nelson to his wife between 1794 and 1801,
throw much new light upon the domestic relations of the pair, and,
incidentally, enable one to correct certain errors of Clarke and
M'Arthur, Morrison, Southey, Pettigrew, Laughton, and Mahan ;
but the papers thus tardily made public in ' Literature ' upset little
that is important in the generally accepted view of Nelson's service
career. Those who are now responsible for bringing them to light
have added to our knowledge of Nelson's treatment of his wife, and,
it may be, afford grounds for the conclusion that the hero behaved
to her with even greater duplicity than has been hitherto sup-
posed ; but their papers scarcely touch the military aspect of
Nelson's genius ; and it is with that that I have almost exclusively
busied myself. That documents of such a character should have
been kept in darkness for nearly a century is surprising.
At my urgent instance, the Publishers have most generously
agreed to allow me to extend the size of this History from five to
Vlll INTRODUCTION TO VOLUME IV.
six volumes. I arn fully aware of the disadvantages of bulky books ;
and, until quite recently I was as desirous as anyone else could have
been to see the work completed in the five volumes which were origin-
ally contemplated. But so much fresh matter bearing upon the naval
events and developments of the present century, and especially of
the last half of it, has come into my possession, that I now un-
willingly come to the conclusion that if the work is to be a well-
proportioned whole, and is to do justice as much to the services of
the living as to those of the dead, a sixth volume is absolutely
necessary. I trust, however, that the completion of the History
will not, in consequence, suffer more than a slight delay, much of
the material for the fifth volume being already in type.
W. L. C.
DAVOS-AM-PLATZ, SWITZERLAND.
June, 1899.
EKKATA.
Tlie reader is requested to make the following corrections of errors which escaped notice
while the volume was passing through the press : —
P. 108, line 11. For Costy, read Cosby.
P. 189. Thomas Totty was made a Post-Captain not on 31-1-1781, but on
31-1-1782.
P. 280, line 14. For Charles, read James.
P. 529, first line of note. For Goelan, read Goelan.
CONTENTS
VOLUME IV.
CHAPTER XXXII.
PAGE
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1763-1792 :
MINOR OPERATIONS ........ 1
APPENDIX TO CHAPTERS XXXI. AND XXXII. :
NAVAL LOSSES OP THE BELLIGERENT POWERS, 1775-1783 :
(a) LOSSES OP H.M. SHIPS, 1775-1783 . . . .109
(b) LOSSES OF THE U.S. NAVY, 1777-1782 . . .113
(c) LOSSES OF THE FRENCH NAVY, 1778-1783 . . . 114
(d) LOSSES OF THE SPANISH NAVY, 1779-1782 . . . 115
(e) LOSSES OF THE DUTCH NAVY, 1780-1782 . . .116
CHAPTER XXXIII.
VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792 . . . . .117
CHAPTER XXXIV.
CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802 . . . .150
APPENDIX TO CHAPTER XXXV. :
FLAG-OFFICERS ON THE ACTIVE LIST, 1793-1802 . . . 191
CHAPTER XXXV.
MILITARY HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802 :
MAJOR OPERATIONS 196
X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER XXXVI.
PAGE
MILITARY HISTORY OP THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802 :
MINOR OPERATIONS ...... • 474
APPENDIX TO CHAPTERS XXXV. AND XXXVI. :
NAVAL LOSSES OF THE BELLIGERENT POWERS, 1793-1802 :
(a) LOSSES OF H.M. SHIPS, 1793-1802 . . . .548
(6) LOSSES OF THE FRENCH NAVY, 1793-1802 . . .552
(c) LOSSES OF THE DUTCH NAVY, 1795-1800 . . . 558
(d) LOSSES OF THE SPANISH NAVY, 1796-1801 . . . 560
(e) LOSSES OF THE DANISH NAVY, 1801 . . . .561
CHAPTER XXX VI T.
VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1793-1802 562
INDEX . 573
LIST OF ILLUSTKATIONS.
VOLUME IV.
PHOTOGRAVURE PLATES.
PAGE
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR HORATIO NELSON, VISCOUNT NELSON, K.B.
(From the oil-painting in Hie possession of Mr. W. Pugin
Thornton, Canterbury.} ...... Frontispiece
ADMIRAL SIR SAMUEL HOOD (1), VISCOUNT HOOD, BART., K.B.,
GOVERNOR OF GREENWICH HOSPITAL. (From the mezzo-
tint by J. Jones, after the portrait by Reynolds.) . . To face 206
SIR JOHN JERVIS, EARL ST. VINCENT, K.B., ADMIRAL OP
THE FLEET. (From the mezzotint by 0. Turner, after the
painting by Sir W. Beechey.) ...... 306
ADMIRAL ADAM, VISCOUNT DUNCAN. (From the mezzotint by
C. Turner, after the painting by D. Onne.) . . . „ 330
ADMIRAL SIR JAMES SAUMAREZ, LORD DR SAUMAREZ, BART.,
K.B., D.C.L., VICE-ADMIEAL OP GREAT BRITAIN. (From
the mezzotint by C. Turner, after the painting bi/ Carbnnier.) ,, 466
FULL-PAGE ILLUSTRATIONS.
THE "BRUNSWICK" AND THE " VENGEUR," JUNE IST, 1794 . To face 234
COMMODORE NELSON'S SQUADRON CHASED BY THE FRENCH,
JULY 8-m, 1795 ... „ 274
THE BATTLE OP THE NILE, AUGUST IST, 1798 : SUNSET . „ 362
THE BATTLE OF THE NILE, AUGUST IST AND 2ND, 1798:
HEIGHT OF THE ACTION 368
XI 1 ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
THE SOUND, AND THE APPROACHES TO COPENHAGEN . . To face 428
THE ATTACK ON COPENHAGEN ......,, 430
CAPTURE OF THE " CLKOPATRE " BY THE "NYMPHE,"
JUNE 18TH, 1793 ,,476
ILLUSTRATIONS IN THE TEXT.
PITCH POT, 1750 . 1
DUTCH MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OP THE SIEUE OP GIBRALTAR AND
THE WRECK OF- THE " ROYAL GEORGE " . . . . . 2
ADMIRAL JOHN BAZELY (1) . . . . . . . .9
CAPTAIN JOHN PAUL JONES, TJ.S.N. . . . . . .11
SIGNATURE OF CAPTAIN GEORGE ANSON BYRON (1). . . .24
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR GEORGE COLLIER, KT. ..... 28
CAPTAIN WILLIAM LOCKER, R.N. ....... 34
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF CAPTAIN PAUL JONES, U.S.N. . . 37
CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD PEARSON, KT., R.N. ..... 40
SIR CHARLES MORICE POLE, BART., ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET . . 78
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THE DEFENCE OF GIBRALTAR, 1779-83 . 80
CAPTAIN EDWARD THOMPSON, R.N. ...... 101
A THREE-DECKER OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY .... 108
CAPTAIN NICHOLAS BIDDLE, U.S.N. . . . . . .116
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE . . .117
CAPTAIN THE HON. CONSTANTINE JOHN PHIPPS, R.N., LATER LORD
MULGRAVE .......... 135
SIGNATURE OF ADMIRAL SKEFFINGTON LUTWIDGE, AS CAPTAIN, 1789 136
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF COOK'S VOYAGES .... 139
H.M.S. " DISCOVERY," WHICH ACCOMPANIED COOK ON HIS LAST
VOYAGE . . . . . . . . . . 141
SIGNATURE OF THE EARL OF CHATHAM, FIRST LORD OF THE
ADMIRALTY, 1788-97 150
ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE, FIRST HYDROGRAPHER TO THE ADMIRALTY 187
THE UNION FLAG OF JANUARY IST, 1801 ..... 189
SIGNATURE OF THE HON. SAMUEL BARRINGTON, AS ADMIRAL . . 197
ADMIRAL JOHN MACBRIDE . . . . . . . .199
ADMIRAL JOHN HOLLOWAY ........ 204
SIGNATURE OF LORD HOOD, AS VICE-ADMIRAL . 205
ILL US TEA TIONS. Xlll
PAGE
TOULON : FROM A PLAN IN THE ' LONDON MAGAZINE "... 207
SIGNATURE OF CAPTAIN THE HON. G. K. ELPHINSTONE, LATER
VISCOUNT KEITH ......... '209
ADMIRAL SIR SAMUEL HOOD (1), VISCOUNT HOOD .... 211
ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS PASLEY, BART. ...... 219
SIGNATURE OF ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS PASLEY, BART. . . . 228
ADMIRAL THOMAS GRAVES (2), LORD GRAVES .... 229
CAPTAIN JOHN HARVEY (1), OF THE " BRUNSWICK "... 232
SIGNATURE OF CAPTAIN WILLIAM EDWARD CRACRAFT, R.N. . . 234
ADMIRAL SIR ROGER CURTIS, BART. ...... 235
ADMIRAL ALAN, LORD GARDNER ....... 238
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF LORD HOWE'S VICTORY OF JUNE IST,
1794 .... . . . 239
ADMIRAL SIR RICHARD RODNEY BLIGH, G.C.B. .... 242
SIR CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT, G.C.B., ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET . 249
ADMIRAL SIR JOHN BORLASE .WARREN, BART., K.B. . . ' . 253
ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES COTTON, BART. ...... 258
ADMIRAL SIR ERASMUS GOWER, KT. ...... 261
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF LORD BRIDPORT'S ACTION, JUNE 23RD,
1795 . 263
ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM DOMETT, G.C.B. ..... 265
SIGNATURE OF SIR WILLIAM HOTHAM (1), AFTERWARDS LORD HOTHAM 268
SCENE OF HOTHAM'S ACTION, JULY 13TH, 1795 .... 275
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR HDGH CLOBERRY CHRISTIAN, K.B. . . . 292
SIGNATURE OF CAPTAIN EDWARD PAKENHAM, R.N. . . . 294
ADMIRAL SIR JOHN COLPOYS, K.B. ...... 299
ADMIRAL WILLIAM, LORD RADSTOCK, G.C.B. .... 306
BATTLE OF CAPE ST. VINCENT, I., 11.35 A.M. .... 310
II., 12.30 P.M 311
III., 1.5 P.M. . 312
SIR JAMES HAWKINS WHITSHED, BART., G.C.B., ADMIRAL OF THE
FLEET .......... 313
REAR-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART. . . . .315
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THE BATTLE OF CAPE ST. VINCENT . 318
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM GEORGE FAIRFAX .... 325
BATTLE OFF CAMPERDOWN ........ 328
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THE BATTLE OF CAMPERDOWN 330
XIV ILLUSTRATIONS.
PAGE
ADMIRAL SIR RICHARD ONSLOW, BART. ..... 332
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OP WARREN'S ACTION, OCTOBER 12TH, 1798 347
REAR-ADMIRAL SIR EDWARD BERRY, BART. ..... 358
POSITION OF FRENCH FLEET, ABOUKIR BAY, AUGUST IST, 1798 . 359
SIGNATURE OP ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS FOLEY (3) . . 361
SIGNATURE OF REAR-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART. . 363
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS BOULDEN THOMPSON, KT. AND BART. . 365
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THE BATTLE OP THE NILE, 1798 . . 371
GEORGE KEITH ELPHINSTONE, VISCOUNT KEITH, K.B., F.R.S.,
ADMIRAL OF THE RED .
CHART OF THE BAY OF NAPLES ....... 392
MAP OF THE CAMPAIGN IN EGYPT AND SYRIA .... 401
ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM SIDNEY SMITH, G.C.B. .... 403
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THE DEFENCE OF ACRE, 1799 . . 405
ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL (1), K.B. . . . . . 407
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF NELSON'S RETURN TO ENGLAND, 1800 . 420
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS BERTIE (FORMERLY HOAR), KT. . . 434
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN, 1801 . 441
VICE-ADMIRAL VISCOUNT NELSON, DUKE OF BRONTE, K.B. . . 443
ACTION OFF ALGECIRAS, JULY 6TH, 1801 ..... 461
SIGNATURE OF ADMIRAL SIR FRANCIS LAFOREY, BART. . . . 473
MESS KETTLE, EIGHTEENTH CENTURY ...... 475
CAPTAIN ROBERT FAULKNOR (3), R.N. ...... 489
ADMIRAL SIR HENRY TROLLOPE (1), KT. ..... 500
ADMIRAL SIR EDWARD HAMILTON, BART 527
LANTERN CRANK, EIGHTEENTH CENTURY .... 562
CAPTAIN MATTHEW FLINDERS, R.N. ...... 565
PUNT, EIGHTEENTH CENTURY . . . . . . .571
NAVAL HISTOEY.
CHAPTEE XXXII.
MINOB OPEBATIONS OP THE EOYAL NAVY, 1763-1792.
H. W. WILSON.
Dispute with Spain-Spanish armament-Actions on North American coast-Capture
of Fox -Her recapture - Raleigh attacks a convoy - Lexington and 4ferf
' ~
is-Isis and
off-Bnt,sh squadron fires on the Dutch-Arbuthnot at Charleston-Cap u of
the Pro**- Mutiny in Invincible - Cowardice of two Captains! Cap of
euse-Of Belle P^-Respect for neutrah-Mcmto
and JVy^Je- Hurricanes and disasters - Capture of
*- Capture of Dutch ships - Cerlerus and Orana -
r- and JVbBwc^-Lomi of ^fete^a and
n
against .Castor and A«_ West Indian actios -
r~a^roand -»— L of
Trin , OBS o anna ue
takes Inncomale-fiBccM. captures flto. Catalina-Foudnyant and Pe'«aSe
Ste. Ifof^arMi reads ^ma,one a lesson-La Perouse in Hudson's Ba ff P
captures . fiifW-^or'. glorious defence-She sinks-Heavy Tosses ' "
h,gh gale-Capt. Inglefield deserts Ce»to«r-r0rJa« and iLrfl ,
and the Bounty — Pandora's voyage.
JN 1766, Captain the Hon. John Byron returned
from a voyage of discovery round the world
and reported so favourably of the Falkland Isles'
PITCH POT, 1750 ^ the G°;e!nment determined to take effective
possession of Port Egmont, in West Falkland.1
1 Beatson, iv. 11, 20 ff.
VOL. IV.
B
M
2 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1770.
Accordingly Captain John Macbride, with the Jason, 32, and three
smaller vessels, was despatched to carry out this purpose. Not
long after l his arrival the French established a settlement on East
Falkland, at Port Louis, but soon abandoned it and handed it
over to Spain. Port Louis was renamed La Solidad by its new
owners.
Captain Macbride having returned to England, the duty of
maintaining the rights of Great Britain devolved upon Commander
Anthony Hunt (1), of the Tamar, 14, Commander George Farmer, of
the Sivift, 14, and Commander William Maltby, of the Favourite, 16.
The commander of a Spanish vessel, discovered by Commander Hunt
surveying the islands during 1769, was warned to leave, and did
so ; but two days later he reappeared with a protest from the
governor of La Solidad, requiring the British to depart within six
DUTCH MEDAL COMMEMOKATIVE OF THE SIEGE OP GIBRALTAR
AND THE WRECK OF THE "ROYAL GEORGE."
(From an original lent by H.S.H. dipt. Prince Louis of Battenberg, E.N.)
months. On this Hunt sailed home for instructions. The Sivift
was wrecked, without serious loss of life, and thus the Favourite
alone was left to guard the settlement. In June, 1770, five
Spanish frigates or corvettes appeared in Port Egmont, fired at
the Favourite, compelled the small garrison to surrender and
embark in the sloop, and detained her for twenty days by taking
possession of her rudder and several sails. At the expiration of
that period Commander Maltby sailed for England, where he arrived
on September 22nd.
The high-handed proceedings of the Spanish authorities caused
great indignation in England, and strong representations were at
once made to the court of Madrid. More effectual than any
1 According to Beatson. Other authorities place the date of the French settlement
in 1764.
1775.] THE WAR WITH THE COLONIES. 3
representations, however, was the display of force by commissioning
a " Spanish armament." First sixteen, and then an additional force
of twenty-five ships of the line, ten frigates, and numerous smaller
vessels were prepared for sea. France, after secretly instigating
Spam to war, changed her policy, and advised Spain to keep peace
with Great Britain, or, if she went to war, to expect no aid On
January 22nd, 1771, the Spanish ambassador was authorised to
promise the restitution of Port Egrnont, and the dispute terminated.
The Juno, 32, Captain John Stott, Hound, 14, and Florida, store-
ship, were sent out to receive the surrender of Port Egmont.
On July 4th, 1774, a terrible explosion occurred on board the
Kent, 74, Captain Charles Feilding (1), whilst lying at Plymouth.
L quantity of powder had been carelessly left on the poop whilst
the guns were being scaled. This took fire from some wads, and
forty-five men were killed or injured.
Throughout the years 1765-1775, the Navy on the North
American station was constantly employed in police work and
petty expeditions against the disaffected colonists. That it did
not effect more than it did must be ascribed largely to the in-
lerent state of too many of the ships and the extreme weakness
the crews. The Somerset, 68, Captain Edward Le Cras during
1775 co-operated with General Gage at Boston. On May 28th
the armed schooner Diana, 6, Lieut. Thomas Graves (3), had to be
abandoned and burnt by her crew, in face of the colonists near
Boston.1 In the battle of Bunker's Hill on June 17th, the Glasgow
20, Captain William Maltby, cannonaded the American position.'
The senior naval officer who was present on land in the action
ordered the ships to fire red-hot shot to burn the villa-e of
Charlestown.
On July 15th, 1777, the schooner Diligent, Lieutenant John
Knight (2), was surprised and captured by the people of Machias,
whither she had gone on a visit.
The first naval action of the American War was the capture of
the Hunter and a brig by two American privateers off Boston on
November 23rd, 1775." The British vessels were, however, almost
immediately retaken by Lieut. John Bourmaster in an armed
transport.
Early in 1776, on April 6th, the British 20-gun ship Glasgow,
1 Beatson, iv. 72.
2 Beatson, ' Naval and Military Memoirs,' iv. 113.
B 2
4 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1776-77.
Captain Tyringham Howe, sailed into the midst of an American
squadron under the command of Commodore Esek Hopkins, and
composed of the Alfred, 24, Columbus, 20, Andrea Doria, 14,
Cabot, 14,1 and Providence, 12.2 The British vessel engaged for
over two hours with this very superior force, but succeeded in
escaping, as the Americans were afraid that the noise of the firing
would bring to the rescue a British squadron, which was lying at
Newport. The Glasgow lost one killed and three wounded ; the
Americans, twenty-three or twenty-four killed and wounded.
On October 18th, Lieut. Henry Mouatt, with a small squadron
of four ships, mounting thirty-six guns,3 burnt the town of
Falmouth/ owing to the refusal of the inhabitants to deliver up
four guns and disarm. On December 5th, the American brig
Washington, 10, was captured by the Foicey, 24, Captain George
Montagu. Late in December, the American Andrea Doria, 14,
captured the British Racehorse, 12, Lieut. James Jones, after a
desperate action of two hours.6 On March 26th, 1777, the American
brig Cabot, 14, after a forty-eight hours' chase, was driven ashore
and captured by the Milford, 28, Captain John Burr.6 On April 16th,
the British tender Edward was captured by the Lexington, 16, off
the coast of Virginia. On May 2nd, the Harwich packet Prince
of Orange was taken in the Channel by the American Surprise, 10,
Captain Gustavus Conyngham,. The latter vessel had been bought
at Folkestone, and, with glaring disregard of French neutrality,
had been equipped at Dunkirk. On the Surprise's return to
Dunkirk, the prize was seized and restored to Britain, though it
was believed at the time, not without some reason, that the British
Government, anxious to avoid a dispute with France, had purchased
from Conyngham his capture. As showing the ubiquity of American
privateers, it may be noticed that in June the British Levant, 28, fell
in with and captured, after a short action, the American Vigilant, 14,
in the Mediterranean. In the year 1777 there were attacks by
American privateers on the shipping at Dublin and Penzance.7
1 Bated " 12 " in the List Books and borne as a " 12 " in the Navy.
2 Beatson, 134. This action caused great dissatisfaction in America. One of the
American captains was at once cashiered ; and Commodore Hopkins was shortly after-
wards dismissed the service.
3 Beatson, 227, 228.
* United States.
6 I can find no reference to this action in the courts-martial.
6 Beatson, 248. Log of Milford gives the (Jabot 16 guns and 182 men.
7 Ann. Reg. 1777, 192], 195].
1777.] LOSS OF THE FOX. 5
On May 21st, 1777,1 the American ships Hancock, 32, Captain
John Manly, Boston, 30, Captain Hector McNeil, Mifflin and
Tartar, 22, Hawke, 18, and five schooners, each of 14 guns, put
to sea for a cruise. They were scattered by a gale, and only the
Hancock and Boston were left in company. These two, on June 7th,
off Boston, sighted a sail and gave chase. As both of them were ex-
ceptionally fast, they speedily overhauled the stranger, which proved
to be the British frigate Fox, 28, Captain Patrick Fotheringham.
The latter was a little slow in clearing for action, and, according to
American accounts, she was not ready to open when the Hancock
got in her first broadside. Captain Fotheringham managed to
return the fire, and fought a sharp action for half an hour, until,
noting that the Boston was coming down fast, and that she was a
ship of formidable force, he made sail to draw the Americans apart,
firing on the Hancock, meanwhile, with his stern-chasers. His ship,
however, was an indifferent sailer, and the Hancock was not to be
shaken off. The Hancock came up with the Fox a second time
about noon, and engaged her closely till 1.15. At that point the
Boston arrived on the Fox's starboard quarter, and opened a most
galling fire. The Fox's main yard was shot away ; the maintop-
mast was on the point of falling ; the mainmast was badly wounded ;
the wheel had been shattered, and the ship would no longer answer
her helm. The Hancock lay on the port bow, the Boston on the
starboard quarter, so that they could scarcely be touched by a
single one of the Fox's guns. At 1.45 Captain Fotheringham
hauled down his colours. The injury to the hull and loss of life
on board his ship had been small, because the Americans fired
chiefly at the rigging. As an interesting episode, it is recorded that
one of the Boston's burning gun-wads had lodged in the Fox's
mizen chains, and was starting a fire there, when the captain of
the Boston hailed the Fox's men with a speaking-trumpet and
desired them to put out the fire. According to the evidence given
at the court-martial, the Fox was weakly manned, having only
140 men fit to go to quarters, or 33 men short of her complement.
From the same source we gather that the Hancock carried twenty
12's and twelve 6's 2 ; the Boston five 12's, nineteen 9's, two 6's, and
1 Cooper [J. P.], i. 79 ; Beatson, iv. 278 ; Courts Martial (Record Office MS.),
vol. 50, Mar. 3rd ; Maclay, i. 88 ff. ; Clark, T., ' Naval History,' i. 53.
2 Cf. Log of Rainbow. 'A Detail of some Particular Services ' (B.M. 1447, c. 15,
a journal kept in the Rainbow) gives the Hancock 34 guns.
(i
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1777
four 4's. The usual tendency for the defeated to exaggerate the
victor's strength must, however, be allowed for. Still, the above
figures have been used in the estimate of comparative force.
Tons.
Gnns. Broadside. , Men. Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
(Hancock .
730
32
Lbs.
156
270
?
?
81
(Boston
514
30?
131?
246
?
?
?
Fox . . .
585
28
114
150
2
10
12
Time, 120 minutes.
1 Maclay. Burn, master of Fox stated at C. M. that Hanfock threw ten dead men overboard. Boston seems
to have Buffered 110 loss.
The Hancock and Boston took a 'number of prisoners on board
from their prize, and sent others in a captured fishing vessel to
Newfoundland. The three then stood away for Boston, but on
July 6th were sighted by the British 44-gun ship Rainbow, Captain
Sir George Collier, and the 18-gun brig Victor. The Americans,
mistaking the Rainbow for a vessel of the line, at once destroyed a
prize that was iri their company, and took to flight, forming in
line of battle. The Hancock delayed the squadron. She was foul,
and had been lightened too much forward, so that she did not sail
well. During the 6th and 7th the pursuit continued, and early in
the morning of the 8th a strange sail was seen from the Rainboic.
She failed to answer the private signal, and was at first taken for
another American ; but as she joined in the pursuit and presently
fired at the Americans, it was obvious that she was a friend. She
was, in fact, the British frigate Flora, 32, Captain John Brisbane.
At noon the Rainbow fired several shots, whereupon the Americans
parted company and scattered. The Boston made off unmolested ;
the Hancock was followed by the Rainboiv, and the Fox by the
Flora. The brig Victor had now dropped behind. At 4 P.M. the
Rainbow was close enough to her enemy to open fire with her
broadside ; a little later the report of distant guns told her that
the Flora was also engaged. The Hancock was left by a sudden
calm at the mercy of the Rainboiv's powerful broadside, and struck
at 8.30 P.M.1
The Flora sighted the enemy on the 7th, and at once gave
chase.2 On the 8th she ran the Fox to earth, and raked her as the
1 Log of Rainbow. 2 Log of Flora.
1777.]
CRUISE OF THE RALEIGH AND ALFRED.
enemy attempted to tack. A hot action followed before, about
4.30 in tbe afternoon, the Fox struck. The Flora had her foretop-
mast wounded and much of her running rigging shot away. For
their conduct on this occasion the American captains, Manly and
McNiel, were court-martialled, and the latter, who in the Boston
had deserted his commodore, was dismissed the American service.
The comparative force of the ships was as follows : —
—
Tons.
GUDS.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Lbs.
(Bainbow .
831
44
285
211
y
9
?
[Hancock .
730
32
158
229
y
V
?
(Flora . . .
698
32
174
220
?
?
?
(Fox . . .
585
28
114
y
y
y
y
The Hancock l was purchased into the British service under the
name of Iris. On board her were Captain Fotheringham of the
Fox and forty of his men. On his arrival in England Captain
Fotheringham was tried by court-martial for the loss of his ship,
and honourably acquitted, as he had not struck till she was un-
manageable and defenceless, when further resistance would have
meant mere aimless waste of life.
In the course of the year the Beaver, 14, Commander James
Jones, captured a large American privateer of 14 guns, with a loss
of only 2 wounded. The American loss was 20 killed and as many
wounded.
On September 4th, 1777, the Camel, 22, Captain the Hon.
William Clement Finch, the Weazel, 16, Commander Samuel Warren
(1), and the Druid, 14, Commander Peter Carteret, were convoying
the homeward bound trade from the Leeward Islands, when a sudden
attack was made upon the Druid by an enemy who had stolen into
the fleet.2 This was the 32-gun American frigate Raleigh, Captain
Thomas Thompson. On September 2nd, cruising in the company
of the Alfred, 24, she had captured a vessel of the convoy, and
ascertained from her master the order of sailing and the signals
used. On September 3rd, the Americans were in sight of the
1 Dimensions : Charnock, ' Mar. Architecture,' iii. 257 : length, 137 ft. 1 in. ;
beam, 34 ft. 3f in. : draught, 10 ft. 11 in.
a Allen, i. 245 ; Cooper, i. 153 ; Beatson, iv. 284 ; Log of Druid missing.
8 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1777.
convoy, and managed to get near without exciting any suspicion ;
they were unable, however, to cut off any of the merchantmen, as
the Alfred was a very bad sailer. Finally Captain Thompson
decided to leave his consort behind ; ran into the midst of the
British fleet; exchanged signals with the British ships; and bore
down upon the unsuspecting Druid, till, having selected his position,
he ran out his guns and gave her for twenty minutes broadside after
broadside. Taken completely by surprise she could make but feeble
reply. Her Commander, Carteret, was mortally wounded at the first
fire ; her Master was killed ; the command passed to Lieut. John
Bourchier. The convoy had meantime fallen into great confusion,
each ship suspecting her neighbour to be a disguised enemy. But,
as it was seen that the surprise had proceeded from one solitary ship
and that other enemies did not appear, the British warships,
supported by several armed merchantmen, made all sail to come
up with the Raleigh. She had therefore to draw off when the
British vessels neared her. She left the Druid in a terribly damaged
state; with masts, yards, and rigging much shattered; several shot-
holes betwixt wind and water ; five feet of water in the hold, and six
men killed and sixteen wounded. On her part the Raleigli is said
to have only lost three men. She was chased after the action by
the Camel and Weazel, but, being clean, could not be overtaken. The
engagement is instructive as showing the difficulty of concentrating
against a bold assailant the ships engaged in protecting a convoy.
The Raleigh and the Alfred did not, however, succeed in capturing
a single ship. The Alfred appears throughout to have held back.
As this was a surprise action, and therefore no fair test of either
ship, the relative force of the two combatants is unimportant. The
Raleigh was, of course, a far more powerful ship than the Druid, and,
singly, should have been more than a match for the Druid, Weazel,
and Camel combined.
On September 19th, a sharp action took place in the Channel
between the American brig, Lexington, 16, Captain H. Johnston,
and the British cutter, Alert, 10, Lieut. John Bazely (I).1 The
American was caught unprepared and brought to action early in
the morning. She had a short supply of ammunition, and no match
ready. After more than two hours' fighting the Lexington crippled
the Alert's rigging, and managed to draw off, with scarcely a shot
left in her magazines. The Alert, however, was very smartly
1 Log of Alert. Bmmons, ' U.S. Navy,' 42 ; ' Gent.'s Magazine,' xlvii. 458.
1777.]
THE ALERT TAKES THE LEXINGTON.
repaired, and renewed the chase. She came up again with the enemy
about 1.30, and, an hour later, was in a position to reopen fire. The
Americans could now make no reply, and, after passively enduring
the broadsides of the Alert for an hour, were compelled to strike.
Cruising in the Channel in company with the Eeprisal and Dolphin,
ADMIRAL JOHN BAZELT (1).
(From an engraving by Ridley, after the miniature by T. Langdon.)
the Lexington had in five days captured fourteen prizes. The force
of each ship was as follows :—
—
Tons.
Gnns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wonnded.
Total.
Alert . . .
205
10
Lbs.
20
60
2
3
5
Lexington
••
16
34
84
7
11
18
Time, 3 hours 30 minutes.
Amongst the Lexington's killed and wounded were the master,
first lieutenant, lieutenant of marines, and gunner. It should be
10 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1778.
noted that the victory of so inferior a vessel as the Alert was
probably due to surprise.
In October the American ship Lexington, 16, was captured by
the Pearl, 32, in West Indian waters, but the Americans rose on the
prize crew and retook the ship.1
On March 7th, 1778, the British 64, Yarmouth, Captain Nicholas
Vincent, fell in with a squadron of American ships cruising off
Barbados. She gave chase, and overtaking the 32-gun frigate
Randolph, Captain Nicholas Biddle, engaged with her in a running
fight. This had and could have had but one issue — defeat to the
smaller and weaker vessel. The Randolph blew up and all her crew
of 315 perished with her, except four who were rescued five days
later by the British ship from some wreckage to which they had
clung. At the explosion, burning spars and timbers six feet long fell
upon the Yarmouth's deck, and with these an undamaged American
ensign. The British loss was 5 killed and 12 wounded ; the
damage to the Yarmouth was trivial.2 She was of course vastly
superior in weight of metal and strength of hull.
On March 9th, 1778, the British ships Ariadne, 24, Captain
Thomas Pringle, and Ceres, 18, Commander James Eichard Dacres
(1), cruising in West Indian waters, saw two sail.3 Giving chase,
they speedily came up with the sternmost, which struck after
receiving a few broadsides. She proved to be the American cruiser
Alfred, Captain Elisha Hinman, armed with twenty long 9's and
carrying 180 men. The other vessel, the Raleigh, of 32 guns,
ignorniniously escaped.
Early in 1777, the American Marine Committee decided to
despatch ships to attack British trade in British waters.* The
unprotected state of our commercial ports and coastline had been
represented to Congress by the United States' Commissioners in
Paris, and, as far back as 1776, plans had been matured for the
destruction of Bristol and other important places. Captain John
Paul Jones was selected for the important enterprise, and putting
to sea in the Ranger, 18, on November 1st, arrived at Nantes in
1 Probably the date should be 1776, but I can find no trace of the capture in the
Pearft log for October 1776 or 1777.
* Ijondon Gazette, May 23rd ; Log of Yarmouth.
* London Gazette, May 23rd ; Navy List Book.
4 Laughton, ' Studies in Naval History,' 376-387 ; ' Life of Paul Jones from . . .
manuscript of Miss J. Taylor,' 69-88 ; Hutchinson, W., • History of Cumberland,' 1794,
ii. 86 ; Beateon, iv. 439 ; Cte. Martial (MSS. Record Office), voL 53.
1778.]
CRUISE OF CAPT. PAUL JONES.
11
December, with two prizes. Thence he convoyed some American
ships to La Hotte-Piquet's fleet, and from the French admiral
obtained a salute for the new American flag. Having refitted at
Brest, he sailed on April 10th, 1778, for the Irish Sea. On the
14th, north of the Scillies, he captured a brigantine ; on the 17th, off
Dublin, a vessel laden with porter. On the 18th, off the Scotch
coast, he chased a revenue wherry unsuccessfully ; on the 19th, he
CAITAUT JOHS PAUL JOKES, U.S.S.
(from J. B. Longacrti engraving, after the portrait by C. W. Peak.)
destroyed two more ships. On the 21st, learning that the British
sloop Drake, 20, Commander George Burdon, was at anchor in
Carrickfergus Bay, he determined to run in at night with his
ship and board her. His plan, though bold and well -conceived,
miscarried ; he entered the bay, but did not anchor quickly enough,
and, a gale springing up, he was obliged to run out again. On the
22nd, he decided to burn the shipping at Whitehaven, which place
he knew well. At midnight two boats with thirty- two men left the
12 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1778.
Ranger, and reached the land as the day was dawning. One party
set the ships in the harbour on fire ; the other entered a dilapidated
fort, which was supposed to protect the town, and spiked the guns.
One of his men, however, had slipped away, misliking the work, and
given the alarm ; and, though the harbour was dry, Jones found
on returning from a second battery,1 a little way further off, whither
he had gone with the men to spike the guns, that the shipping was
not burning. With some trouble he kindled a blaze in the steerage
of a large vessel, which lay in the midst of 150 other ships,
poured some tar on the flames, and re-embarked. The cannon
in the fort were easily unspiked and fired at him by the fast-
gathering inhabitants, as he made off; and the fire which he had
so laboriously kindled was put out. He rowed across to the Scotch
coast, hoping to seize Lord Selkirk as a hostage, for the better
treatment of the American prisoners, but the nobleman was away.
The American sailors carried off some of the family plate, which
Captain Jones afterwards returned.
On April 24th, the Ranger was again off Carrickfergus, hoping
for an action with the Drake. A boat, in charge of a Midshipman
and six sailors, was sent out by the latter ship to reconnoitre the
privateer and was captured. There must have been some careless-
ness on the part of the British commander, Burden, as news of the
doings at Whitehaven had already arrived. A little later the sloop
was seen by the Americans to be working her way out against the
wind and tide, whilst numbers of the inhabitants could be perceived
on the high land ashore. The Ranger retired before the Drake to
mid-channel, and when hailed replied: " The American Continental
ship Ranger ... it is time to begin." Accordingly her helm was
sharply put up, she passed across the Drake's bows and raked her.
Captain Jones quickly obtained the upper hand. The Drake was
very short of officers : she had neither Lieutenant, Gunner, Boat-
swain, nor Master's Mate ; her crew, though large in number, was
composed mainly of volunteers or freshly pressed men, who were not
at all to be trusted in action ; her scantling was weak ; her battery
feeble and exposed ; her twenty 4-pounders were no match for the
Ranger's eighteen 6-pounders,2 let alone the eight swivels which that
1 Probably the " Half Moon " battery.
2 Jones complains of the orankness and weakness of the Ranger. Originally she
carried 26 guns, but 8 had been removed. Of the 18 carried he complained that they
were all three calibres too short. The Drakes Master (Cts. Martial, 53) states that the
Ranger's 6-pre. were " double fortified," i.e., extra heavy.
1778.]
RAIDS ON THE AMERICAN COAST.
13
ship carried ; the powder was bad, the match was bad, and, as there
was no paper on board, cartridges were not prepared either for the
great guns or for the small arms. For the heavy guns only twenty
rounds were ready. In short, the ship had been taken by surprise
and was at the greatest disadvantage. Seventy-four minutes after
the first shot, the Drake struck to her skilfully-handled and well-
fought enemy.
—
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Tot
Ranger
18
Lbs.
54
135
2
6
8
Drake
20
40
154
5
'20
25
Time, 74 minutes.
After this action Jones sailed round the north of Ireland with his
prize, and on May 8th arrived safely at Brest. The quality of
the Drake's crew is shown by the fact that twenty of them enlisted
in the American service. They were probably Irishmen who had
been pressed for the Navy.
On May 6th, the Hussar galley, under the orders of Captain
John Henry, with a small flotilla and a battalion of infantry,
ascended the Delaware from Philadelphia, the object being to destroy
various works and vessels which the Americans possessed high up
the river on the New Jersey shore.1 A landing was effected at
Bordentown ; a battery was destroyed, and 44 American sail were
burnt or sunk. The expedition then returned to Philadelphia with-
out the loss of a man. Towards the end of May a combined
expedition, covered by the Flora, 32, destroyed a number of
American boats and ships high up in Narragansett Bay, and carried
off several guns without any loss. A similar expedition, but with
less success, was made up the Taunton River. On June 1st, the
town of Banff, in Scotland, was alarmed by the landing, from an
American privateer, of a party of raiders, who plundered some of the
inhabitants of their plate and portable effects.2
On June 15th, when the French Government was on the verge
of hostilities with Great Britain, but before any declaration of war
had _ been issued by either side, the frigates, Belle Poule, 30,
Licorne, 32, the corvette, Hirondelle, 16, and the lugger Coureur, 10,
1 Land. Gazette, June 13 ; Beatson, iv. 314.
2 ' Gent's Magazine,' xlviii. 282.
14 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
left Brest, under the orders of Lieut, de La ClochetenV of the
Belle Poule, to cruise in the Channel.2 On the 17th, they fell in
w L Admiral Keppel's fleet of twenty sail of the , hnc > four fngates
and three smaller craft, which had put to sea on the 12th and winch
was cruising to the west of the Lizard. A general chase , ™,
signalled by the British Admiral, and by the evening the Milford 28,
Captain Sir William Burnaby, had closely approached one of the
French vessels, the Licorne, commanded by Lieut, de Behzal. It
was Admiral Keppel's wish that the chase should be brought to him,
but M de Belizal was not to be so easily caught, He attempted to
escape and was only brought to by the Hector, 74, firing a shotted gun
at him. Meanwhile, the Arethusa, 32, Captain Samuel Marshall
and two ships of the line were seen to be in pursuit of another French
ship, and as evening came on the Arethusa was engaged. The
Licorne was led through the fleet to the Commander-in-Chief's flag-
ship, Victory. On the morning of the 18th she made one more bid for
freedom, but was at once fired upon by one of the British sail of the
line. On this she discharged her broadside into the 64, America ;
though M. de Belizal was, at the moment when the broadside was
fired, talking in a friendly way to the A merica's captain . Having done
this and wounded four men on board the America, she struck. The
Licorne was probably armed with twenty-six 12's and six 6's ; though
some French accounts give her only 26 guns. She carried 230 men.
The Arethusa came up with Belle Poule soon after 6 P.M. on
the 17th. Captain Marshall requested M. de La Clocheterie to bring
to and follow the Arethusa to the British Admiral, and, on the
French captain's absolute refusal to do any such thing, opened fire
at a pistol shot's distance. The wind was very slight and would
scarcely allow the two ships to steer. The frigates fought broadside
to broadside, from 6.30 to 11.30 P.M.,3 when they parted. The other
ships of the British squadron were several miles behind the Arethusa
and could give her no aid. According to the French account she
retired towards them with her masts and rigging much damaged.
According to the British account, which is, on the whole, the more
1 Louis Chadeau de La Clocheterie, the son of a French naval officer who fell in
the action of May 14th, 1747, was born about 1736. For his action with the Arethusa
he was made a captain. He fought in the battles off Cape Henry and St. Kitts,
in 1781, and was killed in the battle of Apr. 12th, 1782.— W. L. C.
2 Land. Gazette, June 26th; Gazette de France, June 23rd; Troude, ii. 23;
Chevalier, 72 ; Allen, i. 263.
* Two hours, according to Capt. Marshall of the Arethusa.
1778.]
THE ARETBUSA AND BELLE POULE.
15
probable, it was the Belle Poule that made off in the direction of
the French coast. The French official version admits that, if the
Arethusa retreated, it was impossible to pursue her, and that the
Belle Poule anchored amidst the rocks of Plouascat. There, it says,
next day she was blockaded by two British vessels, which, finding
that they could not get at her, presently withdrew. The action was
a very fiercely fought one. In the French ship the second in com-
mand was killed ; whilst M. de La Clocheterie and several other
officers were wounded. M. Bouvet, who was severely wounded,
refused to leave the deck to have his injuries attended to. The
Arethusa was a good deal cut up. The comparative force of the
two ships was as follows :—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Meu.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Arethusa .
700
28 l
Lbs.
114
198
8
36
44
Belle Poule .
902
30'
168
230
45
57
102
Time, 2 hours ?
1 The armament of these two ships is a little donbtfnl. The French account gives the Arethusa twenty-
eight 12's, but there do not appear to have been any British frigates of twenty-eighl so armed. The Belle Poule
was taken in 1780 and appears as a 32 when captured. Chevalier, p. 76, gives her twenty-six 12's and two 9's ;
Beatson, v. 137, gives her thirty-two 12's ; Troude, whom J have followed, twenty-six 12's and four 6's (ii. 23);
Charnock, 'Hist. Mar. Arch.' iii. 255, makes her a 36 in the British Navy. As such she appears in all
Steel's Lists.
Whilst the Belle Poule and Arethusa were busy, the British cutter
Alert, Lieut. William George Fairfax, attacked the French lugger
Coureur.1 The Alert carried eighty men, twelve 6's, and as many
swivels : the Coureur had fifty men, two 3's, eight 2's, and six
swivels ; she was commanded by Enseigne de Eosily. She was
ordered, like the Belle Poule, to go to the British Admiral ; refused ;
and was at once fired upon. The two fought at pistol-shot range
for nearly an hour and a half, until the Coureur struck. She hit the
Alert several times on the water-line and cut up her rigging. The
following are the particulars of the ships : —
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed
Wounded.
Total.
Alert . . .
205
12
Lbs.
36
80
0
4
4
Coureur .
••
10
11?
50
5
7
12
Time, 90 minutes.
1 Log of Alert.
16 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1778.
On the 19th, the French 32-gun frigate Pallas was sighted and
chased by Keppel's fleet. She was overtaken and her captain was
invited to repair to the flagship, where it was decked to detain her.
Her crew of two hundred and twenty were taken out of her and
distributed throughout the British fleet, and she was came
port as a prize. .
Charges of treachery have been brought by French writers
against Admiral Keppel, for the way in which he captured these
ships France, however, having in February signed a treaty of
alliance with the revolted Colonists, was virtually at war with Great
Britain, and though Keppel was not, probably, over particular, the
behaviour of the Licorne and Belle Poule was so unfriendly as to
justify his prgceedings. It should be remembered that a formal
declaration of war seldom precedes the commencement of hostilities.
If it did not suit France to declare war at that moment, Great
Britain, as the power plotted against, was perfectly justified in
striking at her secret enemy, as she did.
On June 24th, the British cutter Folkestone, Lieut. William
Smith (1), fell in with five French frigates, and was captured.
On July 8th, the Mermaid, 28, Captain James Hawker, was
chased ashore in Delaware Bay by d'Estaing's squadron. Her crew
threw overboard her guns and their arms ere she struck to a small
American ship which hailed her.
On July 9th, the British 20-gun ship, Lively, Captain Eobert
Biggs, whilst cruising off Brest, was unlucky enough to be overtaken
by the Count d'Orvilliers's fleet.1 She was chased first of all by the
cutter Curieuse of 10 guns, and ordered to lie to. The British
Captain refused to obey, on which the large frigate Iphigenie, 32,
stood close up to him and opened on the Lively. After one
broadside the British ship struck her flag, and was conducted into
Brest. On July 17th, the 12-gun cutter Alert, Lieut. W. G. Fairfax,
was overtaken by the French frigate Junon and captured in the
channel.2
The operations in Narragansett Bay, in July and August, 1778,
have been described in Chapter XXI.
On the evening and night of August 13th, two separate actions
1 C. M. (MS.), 53.
2 An action between the Rose and Engageante is given in Troude (ii. 24), as
occurring in July, but is not referred to in Beatson, Schomberg, or the London Qazette.
From Chevalier (123), it appears that this Rose was a privateer of 22 guns, and was
only taken after a most desperate resistance. She had to be sunk by her captors.
1778.] ACTIONS BETWEEN SHIPS OF THE LINE. 17
took place between isolated line-of-battle ships of Lord Howe's and
d'Estaing's squadrons.1 The ships of both fleets had been much
scattered and damaged by the great storm of the ll-12th : which
explains a somewhat singular occurrence. The first action was
fought between the Languedoc, 80, Captain de Boulainvilliers, and
the Renoivn, 50, Captain George Dawson (actg.). On board the
Languedoc was d'Estaing himself. His ship was totally dismasted
and the tiller had been broken, so that in spite of her immense ad-
vantage in weight of metal the odds were against her. The Renoivn
made her attack about sunset. She opened on the Languedoc with
her 12-prs., and then wore under the enemy's stern to rake with her
lower deck 24-prs. At half a cable's length, she battered the
Languedoc, which could make no reply, except from two guns which
were run out through her stern gallery. The French, despairing
of their safety, were throwing their dispatches overboard, when
darkness came on and the Renown hauled off. Captain Dawson
intended to renew the action next day, but when at dawn he
reopened, he found six ships of the line coming down upon him
and had to retreat. As the Languedoc could not sail or steer, it
was only by this accident that she escaped capture.
The action between vhe Preston, 50, Commodore William Hotham,
Captain Samuel Uppleby and the Marseillais,2 74, Captain de La
Poype-Vertrieux, was very similar. The Marseillais had lost her
foremast and bowsprit, and had barely rigged a jury-mast when the
Preston attacked her. After some hours of steady fighting the
approach of other members of the French squadron compelled
Commodore Hotham to retire. On August 16th, yet another of
these combats occurred ; this time between the Isis, 50, Captain
John Eayner, and the Cesar, 74, Captain de Eaymondis, or, as it
was supposed at the time, the ZeU, Captain de Barras.3 In this
case the French ship was intact, and chased and brought to action
the British vessel. The French, however, made the great mistake
of clearing for action only on one side, and had stowed between the
guns on the other side the lumber which should have been thrown
overboard. It must have been a habit of theirs, for the Isis's
Captain guessed what they were doing, let his ship drop to leeward,
1 Land. Gazette; Howe's dispatch; Beatson, iv. 348. The date is also given as
the 18th, wrongly.
2 Troude, ii. 15, makes the French ship the Marseillais ; Chevalier, 118, the Cesar,
and Beatson, iv. 349, the Tonnant.
3 Land. Gazette, Oct. 27th.
VOL. IV. C
18
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1778.
and then engaged them on the encumbered side, at very close
quarters. The French were confused by this manoeuvre, and, being
to windward, had some difficulty in opening their lower deck ports.
After a short but furious fight the Cesar retired, because— ac-
cording to French accounts— the rudder had been injured and two
other British ships were in sight. The Isis was unable to pursue,
since, as usual, the French had aimed at the masts and rigging.
In any case she was fortunate to escape from a ship of twice her
weight of metal. Her crew, amongst whom was the Duke of
Ancaster serving as a volunteer, behaved with great bravery. The
Cesar's captain had his arm shattered ; the first lieutenant lost a
leg; and from fifty to seventy men were killed or wounded.1
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Isis
976
50
Lbs.
414
350 n.
1
15
16
Cesar .
74
828'
/ 500n.\
\ 700 /
<i
?
50 ?2
n = nominal complement.
1 French U's were of two types ; both carried twenty-eight Sli's and sixteen S's, but the first had thirty 24's
and the second thirty la's as well. 1 suppose Cesar to have been of the second-class.
2 The reported loss in the Uazette is given as fifty, but this estimate is obviously untrustworthy.
On August 14th, the French squadron captured the British
18-gun ship Senegal, the Thunder, bomb, and another small vessel.
About the same time the Cesar captured the British 10-gun brig
Stanley.
On August '22nd, the British 32-gun frigate Minerva, Captain
John Stott, whilst on a cruise in the West Indies, and unaware that
war had broken out, met the Concorde, 32, Captain de Tilly.2 Captain
Stott, taking her for a harmless merchantman, was approaching to
speak her, when the Concorde fired a broadside, and followed this
up with a second before the Minerva could reply. The ships were
of equal force, and the British crew, though caught off their guard,
made a brave resistance. But luck was against them : an explosion
of powder under the half-deck dismounted three guns, killed or
wounded eighteen men, and caused great confusion. Another gun
was put out of action by an accident. The seamen, intimidated^ by
the explosion., began to bolt from the guns. Captain Stott, twice
The above three encounters are briefly referred to in vol iii p 409
• Troude, ii. 25; Gazette de France, 726; C. M, 53. According to French
accounts, the Concorde carried twenty-six 12's and six 6's.
1778.]
CAPTURE OF THE SABTINE.
19
severely wounded in the head, had been carried below. The mizen-
mast went overboard; the other masts were tottering; the wheel
was shot away ; and the officers had lost control of the men. The
battle lasted two and a half hours and then at last the Minerva,
struck. Her loss was very heavy, though exact figures cannot be
given. Both Captain Stott and the first Lieutenant died of their
wounds, aggravated by grief at the loss of their ship. On the other
hand, the Concorde lost few men and suffered but little damage.
Her captain's brother, who was serving on board, died of his
wounds.
The defeat of the Minerva cannot be ascribed to any want of
valour or skill on the part of her crew. It was due simply to the fact
that she was undermanned and unprepared. She was retaken later,
and named Recovery.
—
Tons. (iuns. ' Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Concorde .
Lbs.
32 174
200 250 n.
4
11
15
Minerva .
6G4 32 17-4
217n.
? ?
?
Time, 2 hours 30 minutes.
On August 23rd, the British sloop Zephyr, 14, Commander
Thomas West, was taken in the Mediterranean by a French frigate.
In East Indian waters the Sartine, 32, which had been detached
from the squadron of M. Tronjoly, was sighted on August 25th, and
chased and captured by the Seahorse and Coventry. According to
Barras, her captain displayed great cowardice, surrendering without
firing a shot. Troubridge, then a lieutenant in the Seahorse, is said
to have distinguished himself in boarding her. She was purchased
into the British service.1
On September 1st, the Active, 28, Captain William Williams,
was captured off the San Domingo coast by the Charmante, 38, and
the Dedaigneuse, 26. 2 In a previous storm, the Active had thrown
eleven of her guns overboard, lost her topmasts, and sprung her
mainmast, and so, when her enemies came up to her, she had no
resource but to strike, which she did at the second broadside.
Captain Williams is said by Nelson to have died of mortification at
his capture.3
1 She mounted twenty-six 9's. Barras, ' Memoires,' i. 313.
2 C. M., 53.
3 Nicolas, ' Nelson Dispatches,' i. 25.
c 2
20 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
On September 10th, whilst the British frigate *V«, 28, Captain
the Hon. Thomas Windsor, was cruising off Brest, she saw and
chased a ship and a sloop/ The weather was so dark and squally
that she did not for some time observe a frigate chasing her but
when she did, she shortened sail and waited for the enemy. It was
the French frigate Junon, 32, Captain Vicomte de Beaumont,
far greater weight of metal. After some preliminary manoeuvres to
gain an advantageous position, the two frigates passed on opposite
tacks, exchanging broadsides, and then the French captain attempted
to rake his enemy, but with indifferent success. He next tackec
and took up a position on the Fox's quarter, but to windward ; and
yet even there, found that he could do little. Once again he
attempted to rake, and was thwarted, but succeeded in dosing wit
his enemy At musket range the heavy guns of the Junon, trainee
with skill and deliberation, did what they ought to have done far
sooner and got the Fox's fire under. The British ship lost all her
masts and had several of her guns disabled. The Junon s gunners
had been ordered to fire at the enemy's hull, not at her masts after
the usual French fashion. Having offered a protracted and heroic
resistance to overwhelming odds, Captain Windsor, who had been
severely wounded in the arm, waved with his hat that he surrendered.
The Fox, during the last period of the action, could only fire a few
shots, and was terribly injured. The Junon, on the other hand,
suffered little of either damage or loss.
_
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
lieu.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Lbs.
Junon1
32
174
330
4
15
19
Fox . . .
585
28
114
198 n.
11
38
49
Time, 3 hours 30 minutes.
1 According to Capt. Windsor's letter, the Junon fought on each side fourteen 12's and six 6's. The Junon
is also described as an 18-pr. frigate. I have given her only the broadside of a 12-pr. 32, and therefore my figures
are probably an underestimate.
On September 26th, the British ships Experiment, 50, Captain
Sir James Wallace,2 and Unicorn, 20, Commander Matthew Squire,
cruising off Boston, made out a large sail, and gave chase. The
vessel thus discovered was the American 32-gun frigate Raleigh,
1 Beatson, iv. 431, Sept. 18th ; Gazette de France, 691, Sept. 10th ; Troude, ii. 27 ;
C.M.,53.
* Maclay, i. 92 ff. ; Cooper, i. 92 ff. ; Beatson, iv. 379 ; Log of Unicorn.
1778.]
CAPTURE OF THE U.8.S. BALEIOH.
21
Captain John Barry. The weather was thick, and by changing her
course the American hoped that she had avoided the British ships ;
but in the course of the morning of the 27th, they again hove in
sight. The Raleigh was a fast sailer, and was leaving them behind,
when suddenly the wind dropped, enabling her enemies to come up.
The Unicorn attacked first. Her fire brought down the Raleigh's
fore-topmast and mizen-topmast, but the British ship was compelled
by damage to her own rigging to haul off and refit. Meantime, the
Experiment came up and opened on the Raleigh. Captain Barry,
thus situated, determined to run his ship on some low-lying islands,
which were in sight, and to abandon her. The first he was able to
do, but before all his crew had got away, the Experiment's boats
boarded the Raleigh and captured her with one hundred and thirty-
six officers and men. She was got off without much difficulty and
added to the British Navy. The presence of the Experiment, though
she took but small part in the fighting, was doubtless the determining
feature in the action. The details, so far as they are known, of the
two ships are :
—
Tons.
Guns.
lien. Broadside.
Killed.
WoundeJ.
Total.
(Unicorn .
581?
20 '
198
Lbs.
114
10
many
?
[Experiment .
923
50
345
414
?
?
?
Raleigh .
697
32
235
174
?
?
25
i In the MSS. Navy Lists Unicorn appears as a 20-gun ship, but the tonnage is that of a 23-gun ship, and
she is given 28 guns in the account of the action. The Raleigh, by the U.'s log, carried iweoly-six 12's and six 6's
She was 131 ft. long, 34 ft. in beam, and 11 fi. in draught.
On October 20th, the Jupiter, 50, Captain Francis Eeynolds,
and the Medea, 23, Captain James Montagu (1), whilst cruising off
Finisterre, fell in with the French line-of-battle ship, Triton, 64,
Captain Comte de Ligondes.1 The Jupiter ranged up on one board,
the Medea on the other, about nightfall, and cannonaded the Triton
hotly. The French captain succeeded in turning the same broad-
side to both his assailants, but after about an hour's fighting was
wounded in either arm and had to hand over the command to Lieut,
de Eoquart. The engagement lasted two hours, before a squall of
wind and rain, and the impenetrable darkness of the night separated
the combatants. The Triton had thirteen killed and about twenty
1 Troude, ii. 27 ; Gazette de France, 840 ff. ; Log of Jupiter ; Log of Medea ; Char-
nock, vi. 476.
22
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1778-79.
wounded : she had fifty shot in her hull or masts : and her sails and
rigging were much cut up. According to Captam Beynolds she
stood off and abandoned the battle, though the Medea had been
.track by a 36-pound shot on the bows below the water-line and was
virtually out of action after the first half-hour. The Juptter , OSS
was three killed and seven wounded ; the Medea's loss was one kill
and three wounded.
On November 3rd, whilst cruising in the West Indies, the
Maidstone, 28, Captain Alan Gardner, chased and came up with the
40-gun French armed ship Lion.1 She was beaten off once, by
damage to her masts and rigging, but, after refitting, came up again.
The French ship struck an hour later. Captain Gardner was
amongst the wounded.
Tous.
Guns.
Broadside.
lien. Killed.
Wounded. Total.
Maidstone
593
28
114
198 n.
4
g
13
Lion .
40
198
210
8
18
22
On December 17th, 1778, the British sloop Ceres, 18, Commander
James Eichard Dacres (1), was chased by several French ships and
finally captured by the frigate Iphigenie, 32, off the coast of
St. Lucia.2 The Ceres was in charge of a convoy from which she
succeeded in diverting the attention of the French.
On January 13th, 1779, the Weazel, 16, Commander Lewis
Eobertson, whilst carrying Admiral Barrington's dispatches from the
West Indies to England, was chased by the French Boudeuse, 32,
and captured near St. Eustatius.3 She struck at the second broadside.
On January 31st, the British frigate Apollo, 32, Captain Philemon
Pownall, was cruising off the Breton coast, when she came in sight
of ten vessels.4 On giving chase she overtook them, and made out
one of the ten to be a frigate. She steered for her, whilst the other
French ships, which were merchantmen under convoy, scattered and
sought the land. Soon after noon the Apollo was close enough to
fire upon the strange frigate, which was the Oiseau, 32, 5 Lieut.
1 Land. Gazette, '79, Mar. 24th ; Lii.n had probably been hired from the king, a
fairly common practice in France, though the may have been an ordinary privateer.
2 C. M., 52.
8 Land. Gazette, Mar. 24th ; Troude, ii. 40 ; C. M.
* Gazette de France, 77 ; Beatson, iv. 555 ; Troude, ii. 47. Captain Pownall signed
his name " Pownoll," but the spelling given is the one employed in the Navy Lists.
8 Gazette de France, twenty-six 8's.
1779.]
THE APOLLO TAKES THE OISEAU.
23
de Tarade, and which as yet had hoisted no colours. The first
broadside of the Apollo did the Frenchman some damage and led
him to hoist his flag. The two ships were upon opposite tacks,
when the Apollo luffed and came round on the same tack as the
Oiseau. After some skilful manoeuvring on either side the Apollo
got within pistol shot, but to leeward. The ships engaged very
closely ; so closely that more than once the Apollo's bowsprit all but
caught in the Oiseau' s foremast shrouds. The wind had fallen, and
the Oiseau's advantage in speed had gone with it. The superior fire
of the British sailors cleared the enemy's deck till Lieut, de Tarade
and four men were all who were left on the quarter-deck ; the main-
deck battery was dismounted and silent ; and finally a shot carried
away the French flag. The Apollo's men cheered and hailed to
know if the French had struck. No answer was made, but their
fire had ceased, and so the English took possession. The Oiseau
had lost her main-topmast and mizen-mast : her hull was terribly
riddled, as many of the Apollo's shots had passed right through her ;
and if it had not been for the calm weather she could scarcely have
been taken to Great Britain. The armament of both ships is given
differently in the French and British accounts. It is not probable
that the Apollo carried carronades, though " obusiers " are mentioned
in the French version, where she is credited with 38 guns. The
minimum of force has been allowed for the Oiseau, but Troude gives
her 32 guns and in the British Navy she carried that number.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed. Wounded.
Total.
Apollo1 . .
679
32
Lbs.
174
220
6 22
28
Oiseau
783
26
104
224
30-35 | ?
?
Time, l^-SJ hours.
' DIMENSIONS: — Length. Beam.
Apollo 125 ft. 35 ft. 2 in.
Oiseau 146 ft. 34 ft. 1 In.
Draught.
12ft.
9 ft. 10} in.
Both commanders were wounded in this action. The French
fought very bravely against what was perhaps a superior force,
and Lieutenant de Tarade was, for his courage, treated with unusual
deference when a prisoner.1
1 According to Troude (ii. 47), and Gazette de France (91) a British frigate, called the
Congress, encountered the Concorde, a French 32, off Brest on Feb. 18th. Though the
Frenchman had been damaged in a storm and had thrown twelve of her guns over-
24 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1779.
In January a small French squadron captured the British settle-
ments in Senegal, and some weeks later those on the Gold Coast.
On March 7th, an indecisive brush took place in the West Indies,
between the Ruby, 64, and Niger, 32, on the one hand, and the
French frigate Minerve, 32, on the other.1 The Frenchman fired at
the Niger's rigging, and thus disabling her, escaped, though the
British ships Bristol and Molus were in sight.
On March 14th the Rattlesnake, 10, Lieut. William Knell, gave
chase to two French privateer-cutters off the Isle of Wight.2 She
came up with them and fought them for over three hours, when
the larger one struck, and the other sheered off. Lieut. Knell,
however, instantly pursued her, bore down upon her, fired three
broadsides into her, and then boarded. She was the Frelon, of
Dunquerque, carrying twelve guns and eighty-two men, of whom
SIGNATURE OF CAPT. GEORGE AXSOX BYHON (1), U.K., 1758-93.
twelve had been killed and thirty severely wounded. The other
privateer succeeded in escaping. The loss of the Rattlesnake was
twelve wounded, including Lieut. Knell.
Whilst cruising off Ushant the French frigate Aigrette, 32,
Captain La Bretonniere, about nightfall of March 19th, sighted
a frigate which was taken to be a friend.3 The stranger was
really the British 32-gun ship Arethusa, Captain Charles Holmes
Sveritt/ who lost no time in attacking the Aigrette. After a sharp
two hours the two separated, as a line-of-battle ship was
1 Troude, ii. 48.
2 Gazette, 18th Mar.
' Troude, ii. 49 ; C. M., 54.
4 So Schomberg, v. 46 ; Beatson, iv. 564.
1779.] WALLACE IN GANG ALE BAY. 25
made out, coming to the help of the Aigrette ; but the British vessel
was so unfortunate as to strike a rock during the night off the
island of Molene. Her crew were rescued and made prisoners,
with the exception of thirteen men who got away in a cutter.
Towards the close of April a flotilla of fishing boats, carrying
fifteen hundred men, and escorted by the French warships Danae, 26,
Diane, 26, Ecluse, 8, Valeur, 6, and Guepe, 6, left St. Malo with
the intention of effecting a descent on Jersey.1 The wind, how-
ever, was so unfavourable that the flotilla was forced to return,
and could not again put to sea till May 1st, when it suddenly
appeared in St. Ouen's Bay, and attempted a debarkation. The
Jersey militia at once stood to arms, and, with the soldiers of the
Seaforth Highlanders, arrived in time to repulse the French. A fast
ship was despatched to Portsmouth for help, and by good luck fell
in with Admiral Marriot Arbuthnot, who was in charge of a convoy,
with a considerable force of ships. The French fell back to St.
Malo, but on the 10th moved out and anchored off Coutances.
Thence the British senior officer, Captain Sir James Wallace (1), of
the Experiment, 50, resolved to cut them off. With his own ship,
the Pallas, 36, Unicorn, 20, Cabot, 14, Fortune, 14, and another,
he sailed round the west of Jersey, whilst the Richmond, 32, and
seven others steered straight for the French. On May 13th the
British squadrons had the enemy between them. Only one French
frigate escaped by running past Sir J. Wallace ; the rest made
for the shore in Cancale Bay under the shelter of a small battery,
and drove aground. Wallace followed them, silenced the battery,
boarded the stranded ships, and, as the enemy's land forces were
mustering fast, set three, the Valeur, Eiduse, and Guepe on fire,
and carried off the Danae, a brig, and a sloop. The Guepe was
saved by the French after the British had retired. Troude com-
plains of the cowardice of the Danae's crew, who, when attacked,
fled ashore in a panic.
On May 1st the two French 74's Bourgogne and Victoire were
on their way from Toulon to Brest when, just outside the Strait
of Gibraltar, they sighted the British frigate Montreal, 32, Captain
Stair Douglas (1), and Thetis, 32, Captain John Gell.2 The Thetis,
being a very fast sailer, got away, but the Montreal was not so lucky.
Overtaken by so superior an enemy, she struck her flag after a few
1 Beatson, iv. 538 ; Troude, ii. 49.
2 Beatson, iv. 536 ; Troude, ii. 50 ; C. M., 53.
26 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1779.
shots. The British Captain and crew were carried into Alicante and
there released.
On May 7th the British brig Diligent, 12, Lieut. Thomas
Walbeoff, fought a most desperate action with the United States'
brig Providence, 14, Captain Hacker.1 The contest was a very
unequal one, as the Diligent's guns were all 3-prs., whilst the
Providence carried six 6-prs., six 4-prs., and two 2-prs. The British
crew was only fifty-three; the American, eighty-three. The Dili-
gent cleared for action only on her larboard side and was attacked
by her enemy on her starboard side ; her timbers were so thin
that musket shot came through ; she lay very low in the water,
and the seas washed on to her deck. When they realised the
heavy odds against them, thirteen or fourteen of her crew skulked
and went below. None the less the heroic Walbeoff held out for
three hours, when, with every officer but himself disabled, and with
eleven dead and nineteen wounded, he struck. The Providence's
sides were proof to grape, yet she lost fourteen, of whom eleven
were killed or died of their wounds.
In May, Commodore Sir George Collier,2 then in command on
the North American station, with the EaisonnaUe, 64, Rainbow, 44,
Otter, 14, Diligent,3 8, Haarlem, 14, and Cormvallis, 8, galley,
embarked 2500 British troops, under Major-General Matthew, for
an expedition to Hampton Eoads and the neighbouring estuaries,
where the Americans were known to be accumulating naval stores.
On May 10th, the troops were disembarked at Portsmouth, Virginia,
which place they captured, destroying stores and magazines. The
Americans, before evacuating the place, had set fire to a frigate
which was building, and to several other vessels. The American
ships Elizabeth and Chesapeake were secured by boat parties, and
when Collier returned to New York on May 28th he could report
one hundred and thirty vessels captured or destroyed.
On June 1st, a combined expedition captured a fort on Strong
Point, commanding the Hudson, and, next day, a second on
Verplanks Point. Similar expeditions to Long Island Sound and
Huntingdon Bay followed.
The Jupiter, 50, Captain Francis Eeynolds, was cruising off
1 C. M., 52; Land. Gazette, Sept. 24th; Maclay, i. 98; Cooper, i. 118.
' Land. Gazette, June 22nd; Allen, i. 275.
8 It is probable that the Diligent's name is given by mistake ; unless, indeed, she
was captured on this very expedition. But then there is no notice of soldiers on
board her.
1779.] CAPTURE OF TEE PRUDENTE. 27
Finisterre on May 21st, when she sighted a large convoy in charge
of La Motte-Piquet's division of ships of the line.1 Anxious to
discover whither the convoy was proceeding, Captain Eeynolds ran
into the midst of it, and was boldly attacked by the large French
frigate Blanche, 32. In spite of her onslaught he captured one of
the convoy, took eighteen Frenchmen from her, and put five of
his own men on board, before he was forced to retire by the move-
ments of the French ships, which were stretching out on either
flank to cut him off. He was obliged to abandon his prize, and
was himself wounded by flying splinters.
The British ships Ruby, 64, Captain Michael John Everitt,
Molus, 32, and the sloop Jamaica, 18, were cruising off Hayti,2
when on June 2nd, in the Bay of Gonave, they fell in with the
French frigate Prudente, 36,3 Captain d'Escars. The Ruby chased
her for some hours, and was much annoyed by the well-directed
fire of the enemy's stern-chasers, by which Captain Everitt and
a sailor lost their lives. When within easy range of her, at about
sunset, the Ruby compelled her to strike, with the loss of two
killed and three wounded. She was purchased into the British
Navy under the same name.
On June 22nd, the French 16-gun brig Helene, Captain de
Montguyot, was captured by the British 32-gun ship Ambuscade,1
Captain the Hon. Charles Phipps, in the Channel. On July 21st
the British frigate King George, 26,5 is said by Troude to have been
captured by the Concorde, 32, Captain de Tilly. On the 21st,
according to the Paris Gazette* the British frigate Pelican, 24,
fought a seventy-five minutes' action with a French frigate and
lost twenty-three killed or wounded. Five days earlier the British
sloop Haarlem, 14, Lieutenant Josias Eogers, was chased ashore by
an American flotilla and captured.
On July 14th, the British schooner Egmont, 10, Lieut. John
Gardiner, was captured on the Banks of Newfoundland by the
American privateer brig Wild Cat, 14. 7 The powder in the
1 Jupiter's Log ; Beatson, iv. 559 ; Troude, ii. 51.
2 Gazette de France, 80, 45 ; Beatson, iv. 488 ; Troude ; Log of Ruby,
3 Troude, 26 guns. She was rated 36 in the British Navy.
* Troude, ii. 52. Not noticed in Beatson or Schomberg. She seems to have been
the British Helena, which had been taken by the French Sensible in 1778.
6 No such ship appears in the Navy Lists ; probably a privateer. There was a
famous Bristol privateer of that name.
6 Gazette de France, 308. Not noticed in Beatson, nor in Log of Pelican.
7 C. M., 52.
28 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1703-1792. [I"9-
British ship was wet; her crew numbered only twenty-six, and
was not sufficiently strong to work her sails and guns ; an
was in consequence boarded and easily overpowered
American.
Early in August Sir G. Collier received information that
British force was besieged in Penobscot by American troops and
ships.1 Accordingly, he left New York on August 3rd with the
VICE-AUMIUAL SIK GKO11UE CULL1EK, KT.
(From a litlnxjraphed portrait by Blood, in the ' Kami Chronicle.' 1814.)
Raisonnable, 64, Blonde and Virginia, 32's, Greyhound, Camilla, and
Galatea, 20's, and Otter, 14. In spite of thick fogs, which scattered
the squadron, all except the Otter were off the mouth of the
Penobscot on the evening of August 13th. The ships immediately
proceeded up the river, and next morning the rebel fleet came
into sight. It consisted of one 32-gun ship, the Warren, two
24-gun, two 22-gun, two 20-gun, two 18-gun, four 16-gun, three
14-gun, and one 12-gun ships, with twenty-four transports and
1 Lund. Gazette, Sept. 24th ; Beatson, iv. 513.
1779.] COLLIER IN THE PENOBSCOT. 29
other vessels, a total of forty-one,1 and was drawn up in a crescent.
Before the British came to close quarters, however, it took to flight,
on which Collier made the signal for a general chase, and the
British ships rushed on their enemies. The Hunter, 18, attempted
to run round to the west of Long Island,2 but was boarded and
captured ; the Defence, 16, was fired by her crew and blew up ;
the Hampden, 20, hard pressed by the British, struck ; and the
Warren, with the rest of the flotilla, was burnt. In this action the
Albany, 14, Nautilus, 16, and North, 14, which had been stationed
at Penobscot to support the garrison, joined with great effect. All
the loss in killed and wounded was on board them. The total
loss of the Navy was four killed, nine wounded, and three missing,
whilst the enemy is stated to have lost 474.
In the month of August a combined Franco-Spanish fleet of
fifty-six sail of the line and thirty frigates cruised in the Channel,
and the British admiral, Sir Charles Hardy (2), too weak to offer any
resistance, could only observe its movements.3 On August 14th,
the British warships Marlborough, 74, and Ardent, 64, Captain
Philip Boteler, left Plymouth to join Hardy's fleet, and were so
unlucky as to fall in with the French fleet on the 17th. No
intimation of the presence 'of such an enemy had been given to
either of the British Captains, and they were naturally quite un-
prepared for battle. The Ardent had been hurried out of port
with a raw crew, but she had spent twenty-six hours in Torbay
setting up her rigging. " There must have been time to send an
express by land," said her Captain in his defence before the court-
martial. On August 16th, the British Commander-in-Chief at
Plymouth, having ascertained the presence of the enemy in the
Channel, sent out the Kingfisher to warn not only the Ardent but
also the Stag, which, with a convoy, was proceeding westwards.
The Stag was turned back, but the Ardent, though sighted and
signalled, paid no attention whatsoever to the Kingfisher. Either
she did not see the latter or the signals were mistaken.
The Marlborough in some way divined that the strange fleet was
hostile ; the Ardent, however, fell into a trap. Her private signal
was twice answered ; and, all unsuspectingly, she steered to join the
1 Many of these vessels did not belong to the U.S. Navy, nor to any of the regular
Colonial marines. — W. L. C.
2 Not the New York Long Island, but the Long Island in Maine.
3 C. M., 54; Gazette de France, 332, 361 ; Charnock, vi. 466-7 ; Troude, ii. 52;
Beatson, iv. 545.
30
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1779.
suppo8ed British Admiral. Presently a large frigate-the 32-gun
JuL, Captain de Marigny-came up with her, and, as she discovered
her mistake, fired two broadsides into her. Captain Boteler had no
hoisted his colours. It was only after he had received this fire that
he showed them. His ship was quite unprepared. There were few
cartridges filled and scarcely any wads ready. The decks had to be
cleared in a desperate hurry. On the starboard side the lower-deck
ports had to be closed as soon as the guns were cast loose, because
the water poured in. Noticing this, the Junon passed under the
British ship's stern, giving her a raking fire, and ranged up on the
starboard beam. Almost at the same time the Gentille, another
French 32, came to the Junon's help. The British ship had now
opened, but her fire was extremely ill-directed, slow, and ineffective.
It was at this point that some unauthorised person lowered the
Ardent' s colours, and the French imagined she had struck. As she
did not shorten sail the frigates Bellone and Surveillante, which had
come up, one on either quarter, joined in the attack ; and two large
French line-of-battle ships neared her beam. Thus surrounded, and
persuaded that further resistance was futile, Captain Boteler struck
his colours. It cannot be supposed that he surrendered to two, or
even four, frigates ; the presence of the French battleships must be
taken into account. The comparative force was as follows :—
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed. ! Wounded.
Total.
l.bs.
(Junon . . •• 32 174
)
257?
(Gentille .... 32
174
257?
Ardent . . 1370 64
6CO
500
o
8
13
A stouter resistance and a heavier percentage of loss would certainly
have been expected from a British battleship. The Ardent' s crew
was, however, weak and of inferior quality. If Captain Boteler's
defence can be believed, of the 500, 400 were landsmen, mostly
pressed, not one of whom had ever seen a gun fired. The
100 seamen, destitute of clothing and of every necessary, were
mutinously inclined. There had not been time even to make
up the quarter-bill, much less to drill the raw hands. " The
whole force of the objection against sending ships to sea with men
so totally unformed, lies in the danger of their falling in with an
enemy before there is time to exercise them and discipline them,"
1779.]
LOSS OF THE SPHINX.
as he urged. Nevertheless, Captain Boteler was sentenced to
be dismissed the service. Remembering a very similar mistake
on the part of a man so great as Boscawen, and the subsequent loss
of the Pegase by France under identical circumstances, it would
appear that the sentence was unjust.1
The Ardent and the Active, a 12-gun cutter, captured in the
Channel by the 14-gun cutter Mutine, Captain de Roquefeuil, were,
with a number of merchantmen, the only trophies that this immense
fleet carried home.
In August, on the Jamaica station, the British frigate Boreas,2
28, Captain Charles Thompson (1), captured a French flute,3 the
Compas, of 18 guns, laden with sugar. The Compas's loss was nine
killed or wounded. Early in September, the French 32-gun frigate
Amphitrite, Captain de Langan-Boisfevrier, fell in with the British
Sphinx, 20, Captain Eobert Manners Sutton. The Amphitrite
opened ; her superior weight of metal soon brought down the
Sphinx's main-topmast and cut her sails and rigging to pieces ; and
after a two hours' fight Captain Sutton hauled down his flag.
—
Tous.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
AVounded.
Total.
Amphitrite .
9
32
Lbs.
174
257 n.
9
I
?
Sphinx .
431
20
ftO
138 n.
9
•
'
On December 29th, the Sphinx was recaptured from the French
by the Proserpine, 32, in the West Indies.4
On October 20th, the Proserpine, with a 44-gun ship in company,
fell in with the French frigate Alcmene, 26, dismasted and disabled
by a storm.6 The Alcmene, incapable of any resistance to such a
force, struck her flag at once.
In September, d'Estaing's fleet on the American coast took
two valuable prizes. The first was the Ariel of 20 guns, Captain
Thomas Mackenzie.6 She was chased by the 26-gun frigate
Amazone and overtaken on September 10th. An action of ninety
1 Vide also ' Nelson Dispatches,' i. 36, and Capt. Evelyn Sutton's defence in the case
of the Ms. C. M., 56.
2 Troude, ii. 33.
3 A. flute, or a vessel armed en flute, carried her lower deck guns in her hold.
4 Log of Proserpine does not name the Sphinx and calls her a French 32.
5 Troude, ii. 54 ; Gazette de France, 80, 50.
6 C. M., 54.
32 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1779.
minutes followed, in which the Ariel lost -one of her ma8ts and had
another wounded, before she struck, with four killed and twenty
wounded. On the 24th, the Experiment, 50, Captain Sir James
Wallace, was captured. She was bound with a convoy from New
York to Savannah, and the French, discovering this, detached the
Pendant, 74, ZeU, 74, and Sagittaire, 50, Captain de Eions, to look
for her. The Experiment had lost her masts in a storm, and could
not get away, though she did her best, and gave the Sagittaire some
trouble. She struck after a short resistance.1 She had 150,000
piastres on board ; and two store-ships in her company fell victims
with her.
On September 9th, the French admiral, d'Estaing, with twenty
ships of the line and thirteen smaller craft, anchored at Tybee.
at the mouth of the Savannah river.2 The island of Tybee was
seized, and between the 9th and 16th a large force of French troops
numbering over three thousand, who had been drawn from the
garrisons of the French West India islands, were landed at Beauheu,
thirteen miles from Savannah, and the town of Savannah was
summoned to surrender. The British ships, Fowey, 20, Captain John
Henry, Rose, 20, Captain John Brown, Vigilant, 20, Commander
Brabazon Christian, Keppel, 12, Germaine, 12, Savannah, 14, and
seven galleys, were lying at that place. They landed men and guns
as soon as d'Estaing's arrival was known, and the Rose, being old,
dilapidated, and worm-eaten, was sunk in the channel. General
Prevost, the British commander on land, brought up troops from
Port Eoyal; and the place, which might have been carried by
d'Estaing by an immediate attack, was, by the delays and short-
sightedness of the French, allowed time to develop its resistance.
A truce of twenty-four hours gave Colonel Maitland time to come
up from Port Eoyal. The French and Americans broke ground, and
on the night of October 3rd-4th, bombarded the town. On the
night of the 9th, they delivered an assault. D'Estaing was filled
with alarm for his ships, which on that exposed coast were suffering
much from storms ; and his attack was on that occasion as rash
as his abstention from attack had previously been timid. The assault
was repulsed with heavy loss, amounting to about 750 in the
case of the French alone. The loss of the British Navy was
» °An*n! Register,' 1779, [207 ; Troude, ii. 43; Captain Henry's letter in Admirals
Dispatches, N. American Station, vol. 7.
1779.]
THE PEARL TAKES THE STA. MONICA.
33
four killed and sixteen wounded. The siege was abandoned on the
ith, and d'Estamg re-embarked his diminished force.1
The Pearl, 32, Captain George Montagu, was cruising off Fayal
the Azores, when at 6 A.M. on the morning of September 14th
she saw and chased a sail.' At 9.30 A.M. she brought the stranger
ion, and two hours later compelled her to strike, herself
sustaining only damage to her rigging. The captured ship was the
Santa Monica, Don M. de Nunes, a Spanish frigate of twenty-eight
The comparative force and loss of the two were as follows —
—
Tons.
Guns.
Weight of Metal.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
1 Pearl. .
683
32
Lbs.
174
220
12
19
31
Sta. Monica .
-^— ^— — — — -_^_
956
^ .^~^B_
28
~
160
•
271
38
45
83
1 DIMENSIONS : —
Time, 2 hours.
125 ft.
35 ft. 3 In.
I2ft.
The Santa Monica was a finer and larger ship than the Pearl,
though more feebly armed. She was bought into the British Navy
and rated as a 36.
In spite of his successes in the spring of 1778, Captain Paul
aes could not get another squadron to sea before June 1779, and
;hen it was composed of very indifferent material.- Captain Jones's
ship was the Bonhomme Richard, a former East Indiaman, equipped
m singular faslnon. As her sides were very high she carried guns
on her lower deck-six long, old-fashioned 18-prs., which could all be
>ught on the same side. On her main deck she mounted twenty-
eight 12-prs., and on the forecastle and quarter-deck eight 9-prs
Her crew was a medley of all races and nationalities/ and even her
officers were not all Americans. As consorts she had the Alliance,
2-gun frigate' commanded by Captain Landais; the Pallas, of
us, an ex-merchantman; the Vengeance, also an armed
n* have been veT ^iefly touched upon in vol. iii. 442.
, Sept. 28 ; Log of Pearl ; Beatson, iv. 559.
w
Lond.
"
. Oct. 12th ; the court martial [C. M., 54];
' 49' 873 ' Beatson' iv" 5«.
°n b°ard the Sonhomme Richard
and percy'0ffici TT
Macla ' His? T ?i6 ter!' f°nodon
< T nuttr I/ '^ ! '
whikt She w 'Can *
st bhe was undergoing repairs.
I Laughton calls Alliance a 36-gun ship, with 9-prS. on the main deck.
Laughton says, thirty-two 6-prs.
VOL. IV.
D
34 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1779.
merchantman, of twelve guns, and the 18-gun cutter Cerf. Landais
was at the best contumacious and insubordinate. At the worst he
was a violent madman, more dangerous to friends than to enemies.
The only tie which united these five ships was a paper agreement
to act together. This was certain to be broken as soon as it was to
any one's interest to break it.
Leaving Lorient on June 19th, 1779, the Bonhomme Richard and
CAPTAIN WILLIAM LOOKER, B.N., 1732-1800.
(Lieut.-Govr. of Greenwich Hospital, 1793-1800.)
(From a lithograph by Ridley.)
Alliance collided, and sustained so much damage that they were
compelled to return to port. On their way back they chased three
supposed British frigates, and the Cerf fought a sharp engagement
with an unknown British vessel, which is said to have struck, but
had to be abandoned on other British ships coming up. The
repairs were completed by August 14th, when the squadron again
put out, with two French privateers. These, however, soon
quarrelled with Captain Jones, and parted company. Off the south
1779.] THE SEE APIS AND BONHOMME RICHARD. 35
coast of Ireland two prizes were captured ; but, on the other hand,
twenty-three Englishmen of the Bonhomme Richard's crew escaped to
the Kerry coast in two of the ship's boats. At the same time Landais
began to show such insubordination as convinced Captain Jones
of the man's madness. He practically asserted his entire independ-
ence, and followed this up by parting company when he chose. The
Cerf and Pallas vanished from sight on August 26th. Sailing north
round the west coast of Ireland to Cape Wrath, Jones was rejoined by
the Pallas. Some time was spent in waiting for the Alliance, and in
endeavouring to persuade Landais to show some obedience when
she arrived, but all in vain. The BonJiomme Richard, Pallas, and
Vengeance doubled Cape Wrath and sailed down the east coast of
Scotland, whilst the Alliance followed, joining or deserting the
squadron according to her captain's fancy. On September 13th, the
ships were off the Firth of Forth ; and Jones, hearing that a British
20-gun ship was lying at anchor off Leith, and anxious to lay Edin-
burgh and Leith under contribution, wished to run up the estuary.
The captains of the Pallas and Vengeance, however, had no stomach
for any such bold moves, and it was not till the 14th that Jones could
overcome their reluctance. The wind was then adverse. Laboriously
the ships beat their way up the firth, whilst the alarmed inhabitants
gathered to make what resistance they could, and threw up a battery
at Leith. Jones had picked up a pilot from a collier, and would have
had the town at his mercy, had not the unfavourable wind freshened
suddenly 'to a gale on the 17th, and swept the motley squadron out
to sea. Thereupon he determined to try in the Tyne what he
had purposed to accomplish in the Forth. His conceptions were, as
usual, accurate and judicious, but again the cowardice and insubor-
dination of his captains balked him. On September 21st, three ships
were taken or destroyed off Flamborough Head ; on the 22nd, the
Bonhomme Richard and Vengeance being in company, pilots were
seized off the Humber, and from them Jones learnt that the wildest
alarm prevailed in Great Britain. Up to that date the squadron had
taken seventeen ships. On the morning of the 23rd, the Pallas and
Alliance rejoined. Very little later, in the afternoon, a great fleet
came into sight. It was the Baltic trade, convoyed by his Majesty's
frigate Serapis of forty-four guns, Captain Eichard Pearson, and the
armed ship Countess of Scarborough of twenty, Commander Thomas
Piercy. The warships at once placed themselves between their
-convoy and the American squadron, whilst the merchant ships went
D 2
36 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1779.
off on the other tack. Captain Jones signalled to form line of battle,
to which signal neither the Alliance norPaZZas paid much attention.
On shore, the cliffs of Scarborough and the coast of Flamborough
Head were crowded with spectators, who were to be rewarded by
the sight of one of the fiercest fights in history.
At dusk the Bonhomme Richard and the Serapis were within
musket-shot, both standing for the land on the port tack. The two
hailed one another, each summoning the other to surrender. Almost
at the same moment, at 7.20 P.M., the Bonhomme Richard opened
fire, and was replied to by the Serapis. At the first round two of the
Bonhomme Richard's lower-deck 18 prs. burst, killing several men and
doing great damage to the ship. The other four were abandoned, and
the American had to fall back upon her thirty-six 12- and 9-prs.
Against her was the Serapis, a man-of-war, handy, a better sailer,
with a homogeneous crew and a far more powerful armament.1 In
leadership alone had the American any advantage. Her captain,
if not superior in sheer courage to Captain Pearson, hopelessly out-
distanced him in audacity, resource, and inspiration. Whilst these
two closed in desperate encounter, the Pallas engaged the Countess
of Scarborough, and the Alliance sailed round and round, firing at
random on British and Americans alike.
The heavy shot of the Serapis quickly began to tell. The
Bonhomme Richard received several hits between wind and water ;
and she had her fourteen 12-prs. disabled or dismounted, and seven of
her deck guns put out of action, so that she was left with a battery
of only three 9-prs., one of which had to be shifted over from the
starboard side. In these circumstances Jones determined, as
his only hope of safety, to close with his enemy ; and Captain
Pearson of the Serapis was foolish enough to allow his half-
beaten opponent to lay himself alongside. The Serapis evaded the
Bonhomme Richard's first attempt to grapple. At the second the
Bonhomme Richard's mizen-shrouds caught the Serapis 's jib-boom,
which was promptly lashed fast by the American captain himself. The
boom broke, but the Ser apis's spare anchor hooked the Bonhomme
Richard's quarter, and held the two combatants side by side, bow to
1 Laughton, ' Studies in Naval Hist.' 398, states that she carried 18-prs. on her
lower and 12-prs. on her upper deck. Cooper, and Maclay, ' Hist. U.S.N.' i. 129, give
her twenty 18's, twenty 9's, and ten 6's. The regular 44-gun frigate carried
twenty 18's, twenty-two 9's, and two C's ; see James, ' Naval History,' i. 445, and
Derrick, 279 ; but a MS. of Capt. Pearson, refers to the age and bad condition of the
Serapis's 12-prs., which makes it evident that she had 12's and not 9's.
1779.]
THE SEE APIS AND BONHOMME RICHARD.
37
stern, starboard to starboard, with the muzzles of the guns touching.
This happened at about 8.30 in the evening. The Serapis let go her
other anchor in the hope that the American would be swept clear
by the tide ; but, owing to this entanglement, the manoeuvre did not
succeed in its object. Meantime the Bonhomme Richard's men,
driven from the 18 and 12-prs. below, had swarmed to the deck and
the tops, whence they swept the Serapis with a steady musketry fire,
and from time to time pitched hand-grenades on board her. Below,
the port lids of the Serapis 's 18-pr. battery had been closed when the
two ships swung alongside, from fear of boarders. The guns were
fired through them, and speedily reduced to splinters the hull of
the American. Their fire, however, though it ultimately sank the
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF CAPT. PAUL JONES, U.S.S.
(From an original lent by H.S.H. Capt. Prince Louis of Sattenberg, R.N.)
enemy's ship, did not kill his men, since these had been withdrawn
from the lower battery. The 18-prs. thus failed to exercise a
decisive influence on the fate of the action. Already the Serapis' s
starboard side had taken fire in seven or eight places, and was blazing
fiercely. Yet, in spite of this, victory was decidedly inclining to her
when a terrible mischance befell her. An American seaman climbed
out on the Bonhomme Richard's main-yard, which overhung the
Serapis' s deck, and dropped a hand grenade down the main-hatchway
into the Serapis' s gun-room, where a number of 12-pr. cartridges had
been placed. The grenade fired the cartridges, and the explosion
ran aft between the row of guns, scorching or killing officers and
men, and disabling five of the guns. Thirty-eight were killed or
38 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1779.
wounded at this one blow. Amongst those injured was Lieutenant
the Hon. Henry Edwyn Stanhope, who in his agony leapt overboard,
but, climbing back, had his wounds dressed and returned to his
quarters A minute later the Alliance hove in sight and was seen
to fire a broadside. The fire was directed on the Bonhomme
Richard, and not on the British ship, though Captain Pearson
could hardly know this. The Serapis still fought on, her men by
that time recovering from the shock of the explosion ; and at ten
there was a call for quarter from the American. It came from
her gunner, and was promptly silenced by Jones, who rapped him
on the head with a pistol. But at the shout the British prisoners
in the hold of the Bonhomme Richard, taken from the various prizes,
had been released. The ship was sinking : her lower deck ports were
completely shattered, and she was on fire in more than one place.
The prisoners poured up on deck : the fate of the battle was in
their hands. With astounding coolness Captain Jones set them
to work the pumps, and thus converted them from a source of
danger into a source of strength. They seem without question to
have obeyed him, perhaps dumbfounded by his assurance. Each
ship was now at her last gasp ; each crew had fought fairly to a
standstill ; the men on either side had done their best ; the issue
rested with the captains. A refugee crawled through the ports of
the Bonhomme Richard and told Captain Pearson of his enemy's
condition. He ordered the boarders away, but they could do
nothing in face of the small arms' fire from the rigging of the
American. The last effort of the British crew had failed : the
Alliance could be seen passing across the Serapis' s stern, and
preparing to rake her, whilst the Serapis could not fire a gun.
Her mainmast was tottering, and the bold face of Captain Jones
made the British hopeless of success. At 10.30 Captain Pearson
hauled down his flag, just as the mainmast went overboard. The
Americans took possession of their prize, transferred to her the crew
of the Bonhomme Richard, and saw the latter sink a day later. As
the battle had been fought with unusual obstinacy, the loss on board
each ship was very heavy.1
1 Many American writers deny that the Alliance exercised any influence on the
issue of the action. I think, however, that any unprejudiced man will allow, with
Professor Laughton, that her mere presence had a very discouraging effect on the crews
of the Serapis and Countess of Scarborough.
1779.] THE COUNTESS OF SCARBOROUGH SURRENDERS.
39
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Crew.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Bon homme\
Richard . )
42
Lbs.
312
347
49 >
671
116
Serapis .
886
44
324
264
54
75
129
Time, 3J hours.
i The American losses are variously given and range from 317 (Capt. Pearson's estimate) to that given in the
text. Cooper estimates the loss at 150, viz., 42 seamen killed or died of wounds, and 41 wounded ; the others
marines or soldiers serving as marines. The nnmber of the crew is variously given, the above being Cooper's
figures.
The inferiority of the Bonhomme Richard's armament should be
taken into account. If her 18-prs., which scarcely fired a shot, are
subtracted, her broadside falls to 204 Ibs.
Captain Pearson was outwitted, and threw his advantage away.
The action, however, has an interesting bearing upon a point which
is much debated at the present day : — whether the guns should attack
the enemy's water-line or his men. It seems to show that the efforts
of the gunners should be directed to the killing of their opponents
rather than to the disabling of the hostile ship. Captain Jones had
paid great attention to his top-fire, and his marksmen cleared the
Serapis's deck of all but Captain Pearson, whom they spared for his
gallantry.
The Countess of Scarborough fought the Pallas for two hours,
when Commander Piercy struck to the French-American, with heavy
damage to his rigging, seven guns disabled, and twenty-four out of a
crew of one hundred and fifty killed or wounded. He appears, like
the Serapis, to have been fired upon by the Alliance. Owing to the
vigorous resistance of the British ships the convoy was enabled to
escape without any loss, and the Americans were left unfit for any
further depredation. Captain Pearson was deservedly rewarded for
his determined resistance with a knighthood. After the battle Jones
proceeded to the Texel, and thence, after some weeks' blockade, sailed
with his usual audacity down the Channel to Lorient under the very
noses of the British cruisers. There his squadron was broken up,
and though liberal promises were made to him, and though the
consternation and rage in England testified to the success of his
methods of making war, he was not given another command, but
seems to have been distrusted by the American commissioners.
The French cutters, of 14 guns, Mutine and Pilote, fell in, on
40
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1779.
October 2nd,1 with the British ships Jupiter, 50, Apollo, 32, and
Crescent, 28, and were captured after a short cannonade, in which
the Mutine was dismasted.
On October 6th, the Quebec, 32, Captain George Farmer, in com-
pany with the Rambler, 10, Lieutenant Rupert George, was cruising
off Ushant to watch for a squadron which was reported to be leaving
Brest, when at dawn she sighted the French frigate, Surveillante, 32,
CAPTAIN SIR RICHARD PEARSON KT., B.N.
Lieut.-Govr. of Greenwich Hospital.
(.From an engrailing by H. E. Cook.)
Lieut. Du Couedic de Kergoualer, and the cutter, Expedition, 10,
Lieut, de Eoquefeuil.2 These vessels had put out from Brest to
observe a British squadron, which was supposed to be on the point
of sailing for Brest. Du Couedic was a man of ebullient courage,
and had vowed to the king that the Surveillante should be his
1 Troude, ii. 55.
2 Land. Chronicle, xlvi. 354, 363, 381 ; ' Diet. Nat. Biogr.' : " Farmer, G." ; Henne-
quin, ' Biogr. Nav.' i. 98 ; Gazette de France, 401, 424, 435, 448 ; Beatson, iv. 561 ;
Troude, ii. 55 : Land. Gazette, Oct. 12 ; C. M. missing.
1779.] THE QUEBEC AND SURVEILLANTE. 41
chariot of triumph, or his tomb. His enemy, Captain Farmer,
was fully worthy of him, though of a temper less demonstrative.
The spirit of their captains inspired the crews of the two ships. An
encounter between such antagonists was certain to be desperate and
bloody. Neither shirked the combat ; they stood eagerly towards
one another; hoisted their respective flags, and fired each a long
range shot as a signal of defiance. Du Couedic sailed as close to
the wind as possible, whilst Farmer rapidly bore down upon him.
Some time after ten in the morning the two frigates were within
close range. The Surveillante had already been firing for some
time, but at long range, and without inflicting much injury. Not till
she was within musket range did the Quebec reply. The two then
settled down to a furious battle, broadside to broadside. An hour
passed and neither ship had the advantage, when Captain Farmer
determined to rake his opponent. He tried to drop astern, with
this object in view, but was foiled by Du Couedic's promptness and
judgment. Once more the two closed. They could no longer hug
the wind, but had to go before it ; the masts of both ships were
tottering ; the fire on each side was murderous ; and yet neither
showed any sign of yielding. Twice, indeed, the Quebec's officers
saw, or thought they saw, the French crew running from their
guns, but for all that the Surveillante maintained her fire. In
the Quebec the crew was dwindling fast; from seven men to
each gun it had fallen to three ; Captain Farmer was wounded
in the finger, and his collar bone was shattered. He did not
leave the deck, but bandaged his wounds as best he could, and
called to his men, " My lads, this is warm work, and therefore
keep up your fire with double spirit. We will conquer or die."
Beside him stood his first Lieutenant, Francis Eoberts, who
had lost an arm. Most of the other officers were killed or
disabled.
It was verging upon noon when the masts of the Surveillante
went overboard. They fell to port, and did not mask her battery,
nor encumber and endanger the ship. A few minutes before this Du
Couedic had been twice wounded in the head by bullets. He did not,
however, leave the deck. Just after the fall of the Surveillante' s
masts, the Quebec's masts came down. Unfortunately for her, they
did not clear the ship, but, falling fore and aft, blocked the gangways,
and impeded the service of the forecastle and quarter-deck guns.
The mizen-rnast sails hung down on the engaged side, and were
42 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1779.
almost instantly set on fire by the flash of the guns. Du Couedic at
that moment is said, in the French accounts, to have attempted to
board. His dispositions for that end were made, and his bowsprit
was fast entangled in the wreckage of the Quebec's masts, when he
was wounded a third time, just as he had ordered his three nephews
to lead the boarding party. Smoke was already pouring up from
the Quebec's sails, and her quarter-deck was beginning to blaze.
The French captain, for all his wounds, directed the fire of his guns
to cease, and his boats to be lowered, whilst the Surveillante's bow-
sprit was cut away, and the Quebec was pushed off with spars : not
any too soon, for the French ship's rigging was already beginning to
burn. The heat was intense. On board the Quebec, Farmer still
kept his station, and refused to leave the ship whilst there was a
man on board. The pumps were by his orders directed on the
magazine, and thus there was no apparent danger of an explosion.
The first Lieutenant was by him : the crew at his orders were
jumping into the sea or saving themselves as best they could ; whilst
the cutter Rambler had come up to the aid of the men in the water,
though the constant explosion of the Quebec's guns made the work
of rescue very dangerous. Of the Surveillante's boats, only one would
float, and that one was damaged in getting it out. The French crew,
however, threw oars and ropes to the drowning men. At six in the
evening the Quebec, with her colours still flying, blew up. When
last seen, her Captain was sitting calmly on the fluke of the
anchor.
His splendid gallantry was rewarded by his country in the way
it deserved. His eldest son was made a baronet, and pensions were
granted to his widow and his children, " to excite an emulation in
other officers to distinguish themselves in the same manner, and
render Captain Farmer's fate rather to be envied than pitied, as it
would give them reason to hope that, if they should lose their lives
with the same degree of stubborn gallantry, it would appear to
posterity that their services had met with the approbation of their
sovereign." l Thus died in the flower of his age a great and accom-
plished officer ; 2 and one of those who may be said to have made
and moulded our Navy for the next French war. Under him
Nelson and Troubridge served, and the master was worthy of his
disciples.
1 Admiralty Minute.
2 Capt. George Farmer had been posted on Jan. 10th, 1771. — W. L. C.
1779.] THE QUEBEC AND SURVEILLANTE. 43
Du Couedic died in port some months later.1 His family were as
splendidly rewarded, and a handsome monument was erected at
Brest to his memory, to be defaced and destroyed in the shameful
excesses of the Eevolution.
The loss of both ships was terribly heavy. Of the Quebec's 195
men only 68 were saved ; 17 by the 'Rambler, 13 by a passing
Eussian ship, and 38 by the Surveillante ; and of these again two
died of their injuries. The French behaved with a magnanimous
humanity to their prisoners. Men who had so fought and suffered,
they said, must be released ; and accordingly they sent them back to
a British port. They are stated in one British account to have fired
upon a British boat engaged in saving life. We may indignantly
reject this malicious libel. The fire probably came from the
Quebec's own heated guns. In the Surveillante 30 were killed and
85 wounded. In one or other category were nearly all the officers.
The ship herself was in a sinking condition. She had been
frequently hulled between wind and water, and was leaking heavily.
She was taken in tow by the Expedition : in time jury-masts were
rigged ; and she succeeded in returning to Brest.
The comparative force of the two ships is disputed. According
to Farmer's own letters the Quebec carried twenty-six 9-prs., and six
6-prs. This anomalous armament was due to the fact- that she had
struck a rock some months before ; and, being compelled to throw
all her 12-prs. overboard, she could only replace them with the
smaller 9-prs. on reaching a British port. French writers give her
thirty-six guns, but are obviously untrustworthy, as they had no
means of knowing accurately. The Surveillante, by the official
British version, carried twenty-eight 18-prs. and twelve small guns —
probably in the writer's imagination 8 or 6 prs. To get the truth,
however, we must go to the French accounts, and they differ
strangely. M. de Lostanges, who fought on board, gives her thirty-
six guns — probably twenty-six 18-prs. and ten 8-prs. : Troude and
the official French account give twenty-six 12-prs. and six 6-prs. It
was the impression of the Quebec's survivors that the Surveillante
was greatly their superior in power and weight of metal, but men
who have fought a desperate battle are naturally prone to exalt the
strength of their enemy. We have, therefore, accepted Troude's
1 Du Couedic was instantly promoted to be capitaine de vaisseau, and, for a time,
his recovery seemed probable ; but he died of his wounds, three months after the action,
aged forty.
44
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1779.
statement, though even then the disparity is quite sufficient to
explain the result : —
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Surveillante .
, .
32
Lbs.
174
255
30
85
115
Quebec
685
32
125
195
127
? 1
127 '
1 At least three of the sixty-eight survivors were " greatly wounded," besides the two who actually died. No
wounded or men dying from their wounds have been included in the above total. Tronde gives the survivors as
eighty-one.
The Rambler and Expedition,1 whilst the fight between the Quebec
and Surveillante was raging, were just as hotly engaged, from
eleven o'clock onwards. At about two, however, the Expedition made
off — either to aid the Surveillante or because she had had enough.
She had, by the French account, suffered severely from the Rambler's
musketry. The Rambler was much cut up in her rigging, her gaff,
topmast, and topsail halyards being shot through, and her mainsail
rendered useless. She stood at once to the help of the Quebec,
and with her boat rescued seventeen people — of whom two were
Midshipmen, and one the Master's Mate.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Lbs.
.Rambler .
139
10'
?
50
0
2
22
Expedition .
••
12
68
?
3
14
17
' Navy List gives her eight guns.
2 Several slightly woundeJ (.these as usual not being included in the return or estimate).
A brilliant episode of the autumn of 1779 was the capture of
Omoa and two Spanish treasure ships by Captain the Hon. John
Luttrell, with a small squadron, and a few armed " Baymen " from
British Honduras.2 The squadron consisted of the Charon, 44,
Captain Luttrell, Lowestoft, 32, Captain Christopher Parker (2),
Pomona, 28, Captain Charles Edmund Nugent, Porcupine, 20,
Commander John Pakenham, Racehorse, schooner, and some other
schooners and smaller craft. These arrived on the Honduras coast
on September 15th. After some skirmishing in the Gulfs of
1 Log of Rambler.
2 Beatson, iv. 475 ; Cf. also C. M., 53 ; Court of inquiry on conduct of Capt.
Luttrell.
1779.] CAPTURE OF OMOA. 45
Honduras and Dolce, and after an attempt to capture the town of
Omoa by a purely naval attack from the sea had failed through the
remissness of the pilots, a landing was effected at Puerto Caballo,
and a force composed of seamen, 250 Baymen, a number of
Mosquito Indians, and detachments of the Eoyal Irish Eegiment
and Marines, began the march on Omoa, nine miles distant, on the
night of October 16th. It was hoped to surprise the fort, but the
allowance of time was not sufficient and the difficulties of the march
were enormous. The landing force had to make its way through
mangrove swamps and across mountains, and, when day dawned, it
was in great disorder and still six miles off the town. After some
hours' halt the march was resumed.
When the force was near Omoa it met with a party of 50 or 60
Spaniards, who fired upon it, inflicting trivial loss, and then fled.
The British sailors carried and fired the town ; but the fort they could
not take, as the Baymen, who were carrying the scaling ladders,
had dropped them in their eagerness to fight. Meantime the British
ships had stood in to the support of the assaulting party. The
Lowestoft and Charon opened fire, but at somewhat long range.
The Lowestoft then tried to run in closer, and grounded, but luckily
got off again, though not without considerable damage. On the
18th the sailors landed some of the Pomona's guns and opened with
them on the fort ; but this was rather to hide the real plan of attack
than to breach the walls.
It was decided to assault the fort on the night of the 19th-20th,
while the ships covered and aided the storming party. Accordingly,
on the night of the 19th, the squadron attacked the fort. When
the garrison was busy, four storming parties of seamen, Marines, and
Royal Irish dashed forward and were in the fort before the Spaniards
were aware of their presence, with a loss of only six killed and
wounded. The treasure taken in the galleons and the fort was
estimated at 3,000,000 dollars. The fort was garrisoned by British
troops till November 28th, when it was abandoned on a Spanish
force threatening it. In the assault only two Spaniards were
wounded by the British seamen. A story is told of a sailor who,
with a cutlass in each hand, met an unarmed Spaniard, presented
him with one of his cutlasses, and challenged him with these words,
" I scorn to take any advantage : you are now upon a footing with
me."
On November llth, the Spanish 28-gun frigate Santa Margarita
46
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1779.
was sighted in the afternoon by Commodore George Johnstons off
Finisterre.1 The Tartar, 28, Captain Alexander Graeme, was
ordered to give chase, and came up with her at four o'clock, when,
after a broadside or two, seeing that escape was hopeless in the
face of the British squadron, she struck with four killed or wounded.
The Tartar did not lose a man ; but she suffered some damage,
as, during the action, the Spaniard fell on board her, carrying
away her rnizen topsail yard. The Santa Margarita carried
twenty-six 12-prs. and two 6-prs., with two hundred and seventy
men. She was purchased into the British service under the same
name.2
On November 19th, the Hussar, 28, Captain Elliot Salter, in
company with the Chatham, 50, and convoying the trade home from
Lisbon, saw a two-decked ship standing out of the convoy, and at
once gave chase. She came up with the ship next day and, on the
Spanish flag being hoisted, attacked, when, after a short engagement,
the Spaniard struck. She was the Nuestra Senora del Buen Confeso,
armed en flute, and mounting only twenty-six 12-prs., though pierced
for sixty-four guns. She carried a valuable cargo. The force of the
two was : —
Tons.
Guiis.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Lbs.
Hussar ....
586
28
114
198 n.
4
10
14
Nuestra Senora del \
Buen Confeso . . \
28
168
120
27
8
35
Time, 45 minutes.
On November 27th, the cutter Jackal, 14, whilst lying in the
Downs, was seized by seventeen of her crew and carried off to
a French port. Her officers were mostly ashore ; several of the
mutineers were smugglers impressed on the Irish coast.3 Some of
them were afterwards taken and executed for this act of mutiny.
The ships lying near the Jackal had no idea of the intentions of her
crew, or they could easily have brought her to. The Jackal was
1 Beatson, iv. 561 ; Tartar's Log ; Johnstone's squadron included one 50, three
frigates and two sloops ; Schomberg, iv. 359.
2 Often spelt at that time Sta. Margaretta. She was rated as a 36.
3 Beatson, iv. 565 ; C. M., 53, 61 ; Captains' Letters, 1781, 1782, Napier. She was
renamed the Boulogne, and was re-captured by the Prudente in 1781, with many of
her original crew.
1779.] CAPTURE OF THE BLANCHE, FORTUNES AND ELISE. 47
sold at Calais, and turned into a privateer ; and she proceeded to
plunder and harass British trade off the coast of Scotland.
On December 21st, the French frigates Fortunes and Blanche,
32's,1 and Elise, 28, were off Guadeloupe, when they fell in with four
large vessels flying the French flag. These were the British ships
Magnificent, 74, Suffolk, 74, Vengeance, 74, and Stirling Castle, 64,
under Bear-Admiral Joshua Eowley. The French ships were in bad
order ; their crews were excessively weak ; and thus they could not
escape the vastly superior British force. The Blanche was overtaken
and captured on the evening of the 21st ; the Fortunee, by throwing
her quarter-deck guns overboard, kept away a little longer, but was
captured at last in the early morning of December 22nd, an hour
before the Elise.
In the course of the year the French made themselves masters
of the West Indian islands of St. Bartholomew, St. Vincent, and
Cariacou.
On the last day of the year2 1779 a British squadron3 under
Captain Charles Feilding (1) came up with a large Dutch convoy in
charge of the Dutch Bear-Admiral van Bylandt, who had with him
two sail of the line and two frigates. It was notorious that the
Dutch ships were laden with naval stores and other contraband of
war for the French. Captain Feilding requested permission to
search these ships, but it was refused him ; and van Bylandt declared
that he would fire if any such search were attempted. Next day,
however (January 1st), boats were sent from the British ships, on
which the Dutch fired, and the British warships replied by opening
on the Dutch. His honour being now satisfied, van Bylandt
struck, though no blood had been shed in the interchange of com-
pliments. Captain Feilding refused to accept the surrender, and
returned to port with nine prizes, which were all condemned in
due course.
On December 26th, 1779, as soon as the departure of d'Estaing's
French fleet from the coast of North America had been ascertained,
Vice-Admiral Harriot Arbuthnot * left New York with a squadron of
1 Beatson, iv. 473 ; Gazette, 80, Feb. 29th ; English accounts give the F., 42 <nms
and the B., 36.
2 Beatson, iv. 573. Some allusion to the legal aspects of this affair will be found
in vol. iii. 351.
3 Kamur, 90 ; Centaur, Courageux, Thunderer, Valiant, 74's ; Buffalo, 60 ; Port-
land, 50 ; Emerald, 32 ; Seaford, Camel, 20 ; Hawk, 12 ; Wolf, 8.
* See vol. iii. 472.
48
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1780.
warships and transports — in which were embarked 7550 troops under
General Sir H. Clinton— for Charleston.1 The following were the
warships : —
Ships. ; Guns.
Captains.
Ships. Guns.
Captains.
Russell . \ „*
(F. S. Drake, Commod.
Richmond j
(Chas. Hudson.
Robust .} '
(Phillips Cosby.
Blonde. |
32
<And. Barkley.
Europe. . I
/M. Arbuthnot, V.-Ad.
\Wm. Swiriev (1).
Raleigh )
Virginia, 1
28
(ja. Gambier (2).
Jno. Orde (1).
Defiance . 1
Raisonnable)
Renown
50
(Max. Jacobs.
(T. Fitzherbert.
Geo. Dawson.
Perseus \
Camilla )
20
(Hon. G. K. Elphin-
< stone.
Jno. Collins.
Roebuck ,), ,,
t Sir And. S. Hamond(l).
Romulus . )
(.Geo. Gayton.
Armed ships, Sandwich and Germaine.
i Reached Charleston after the rest of the fleet.
Putting into Savannah in January, and capturing Port Royal,
the armament proceeded to North Edisto Inlet, near Charleston,
on February 10th, and the troops quickly made themselves masters
of James Island, which shuts in Charleston Harbour to the south
and south-west. Four hundred and fifty Marines and seamen, with
guns from the ships, were landed under Captain the Hon. Geo.
Keith Elphinstone, and on March 29th the siege was duly formed.
Meantime, the smaller ships were lightened and carried over the bar
on March 20th ; the 74's and 64's were sent back to New York ; and
Arbuthnot's flag was hoisted in the Roebuck.
A 44-gun ship, seven frigates and sloops, and a French frigate
and polacca — of which, however, there is no mention in French
authorities — had been moored by the Americans in the mouth of
the harbour off Fort Moultrie. This work protected the entrance ;
it mounted about forty guns ; and its fire had some years before
repulsed Sir Peter Parker's attack. When Arbuthnot crossed the
bar the American flotilla was retired and sunk in the channel
between Charleston and the island of Shute's Folly.2 On April 9th,
Arbuthnot led his fleet, consisting of the Roebuck, Romulus, Blonde,
Virginia, Raleigh, Sandwich, and Renown, through the entrance,
past Fort Moultrie. The ships gave and received a heavy fire,
the loss to the British being twenty-seven killed or wounded, and
1 Beatson, v. 16 ; Colomb, ' Naval Warfare,' 417 ; Schomberg, ii. 16, iv. 359 ; ' Ann.
Register,' 1780, [218 ; Log of Roebuck ; Admirals' Dispatches, North American Station,
vol. vii. ; Allardyce, ' Lord Keith.'
2 On the capture of Charleston the American frigate Boston, which was one of the
vessels sunk, was raised, and, under the name Charleston (spelt Charles-Town by
Steel), added to the Navy.
1780.] CAPTURE OF GHABLESTON. 49
a good deal of damage to masts and rigging. The fleet anchored off
James Island, out of range, it was hoped, of the American batteries
at Charleston. These presently opened fire on the Roebuck at the
head of the British line. Every shot went through her, but, with
admirable judgment, she made no reply ; and the Americans, in con-
sequence, jumped to the conclusion that their shots were falling short
and ceased their cannonade, when they might have destroyed her.
The coolness of the Boebuck's captain, Sir Andrew Snape Hamond,
deserves a word of praise. The boats of the fleet endeavoured,
unsuccessfully, to force their way up Cooper Eiver ; but landing-
parties of Marines and seamen stormed a work at Mount Pleasant,
and compelled the surrender of Fort Moultrie on May 7th. This
fort fell, as did the works at Mobile in 1864, when isolated by
Farragut's fleet. On May llth, Charleston capitulated. The loss
to the Navy in these operations was twenty-three killed or wounded.
In January, 1780, a small expedition of five hundred men was
sent against the Spanish forts on the river San Juan, controlling
the approach to Lake Nicaragua in Central America.1 Captain
Horatio Nelson, in the Hinchinbroke, 28, convoyed the transports to
Greytown, where the troops landed. Nelson himself took part
in the expedition, which succeeded in capturing Castillo Viejo on
April 29th, though only after he had left, invalided. The climate
was so unhealthy that the men died like flies ; the transports at
Greytown were left without a man in charge ; and very few of the
troops returned, though large reinforcements had been sent in the
meanwhile. The survivors were withdrawn, defeated by the
climate. The expedition was grievously mismanaged, and moreover
it was sent at the wrong time of the year.
A French convoy of two storeships and thirteen other vessels,
bound for Mauritius under the care of the 64's Protee and Ajax,
the frigate Charmante, and the corvette Argus, was unlucky enough
to be sighted to the south of Madeira on February 23rd by a
British squadron under Bear- Admiral the Hon Robert Digby.2 The
French at once scattered, and, darkness coming on, altered course,
with the exception of the Protte, Charmante, and two of the smallest
ships. At one in the morning of February 24th, some hours after
this change had been made, the Protee's captain came to the conclu-
sion that the safety of his consorts was assured, and decided to look
1 Nicolas, 'Nelson,' i. 9 ; Collingwood's Correspondence (1 vol.), 7 ; Beatson, v. 96.
2 Beatson v. 130 ; Troude, ii. 66 ; Gazette de France, 125.
VOL. IV. E
50
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1780.
to that of his own ship. Hitherto he had been sailing large ; now
it was necessary to sail nearer the wind. In altering course, how-
ever his main topgallant mast came down, injuring the sails of
foremast, and hindering the working of the ship. In consequence,
the Protee was quickly overtaken. At about two, the Resolution, 74,
Captain Lord Eobert Manners, opened upon her. A little later
the Bedford and Marlborough, both 74's, joined in the cannonade.
Eesistance was perfectly hopeless from the first, but Captain Vicomte
Du Chilleau did not strike till his wheel had been shattered, his
sails riddled, and his ship rendered incapable of movement,
surrendered at 3.15 A.M., having lost thirty-two killed and a great
number of wounded. The Resolution had not lost a man.
board the Protee was a large sum of money. Of the rest of
convoy, three sail only were taken. The Charmante was
pursued, but she got away.
In April a serious mutiny occurred on board the Invincible, 74,
Captain Charles Saxton, at Portsmouth.1 She had been ordered to
the West Indies, but as the seamen had six months' wages due,
reckoning by lunar months, they refused to weigh anchor till they
were paid. It had frequently happened before that crews refused
to proceed to sea without receiving their arrears of wages ; 2 and the
men could point to an Act of Parliament enjoining prompt payment
of all wages, leaving always, however, six months' wages due.
the other hand, the Articles of War decreed death to those who
delayed the service and demanded arrears of wages. The mutineers
were well behaved and obedient, but no threats or promises would
induce them to go to sea. The Alexander, 74, was warped along-
side the Invincible, and ostentatious preparations were made for
battle but the mutineers did not turn a hair. They effected their
purpose, as they were not sent to the West Indies till November.,
and the only punishment dealt out to them was the trial of four
men by court-martial, and the infliction upon two of those four of
1 Minutes of C. M. wanting ; Beatson, v. 5.
• In C M 52 (MSS. Record Office), will be found a similar instance. Seven
seamen oi'tteEgmont, on Sept. 29th, 1779, demanded their pay. They were severely
unished Three were condemned to death and petitioned for mercy in moving words.
"We the unhappy condemned objects never willing to offend, now posterate ourselves
imploring mercy, strangers to mutiny, or dissatisfaction, always ready to obey bu
now led away through error, misguided by insinuating men, fall a victim to the
Still law. Pity our misconduct and be merciful to us. Take not away our lives
but spare us from the approaching and gloomy day, being young in the service, tfa
we may live to be an honour to our Sovereign and help to our country.
51
1780.] ACTION OFF FLAMBOROUGH HEAD.
five hundred lashes. It was not till the mutiny of 1797 that the
Act for the better payment of the Navy reformed one of the worst
abuses in the service. Till that Act it was extraordinarily difficult
tor the seaman to get his pay.
On April 26th, the British sloop Fortune, 18, Commander Lewis
obertson, was captured by the French frigates Iphigenie and
Gentille in the West Indies.1
At about that time, within ten days, the Iris and Galatea
using on the American coast, took nine privateers, manned by
eight hundred men.
On the 30th of the same month, a small British squadron, com-
posed of the Ariadne, 20, Captain Matthew Squire, the Fury 16
Commander Alexander Agnew, and the armed ships, each of 20 guns'
Queen and Loudoun, Commanders Eichard Trotten and Stephen
Bams (1), was cruising off Flamborough Head, when three French
privateers of from 20 to 24 guns each were sighted.2 These were
chased and attacked by the Ariadne and Queen, whilst the Fury and
Loudoun held aloof and gave no assistance. The Queen suffered
considerably. Seven men were wounded in her and every running
rope cut away. After a sharp action, the privateers got away by
using sweeps. The conduct of two of the British Commanders was so
nsatisfactory that Agnew and Eains were cashiered by court-martial
>rnmander Earns was a very old and infirm officer, which, perhaps
explains his indifferent behaviour. Captain Squire, on the othei-
hand, was honourably acquitted.
On May 1st the cartel ship Sartine, John Dallis, master, with
the French officers and soldiers who had surrendered at Pondicherry
ter a ten months' voyage arrived off Cape St. Vincent, where she
was sighted and fired upon by the Bomney, 50, Captain Eoddam
She earned a French flag and a cartel flag. At once she
owered her French flag, but she was again fired upon, with the
result that Dallis and two French soldiers were killed and twelve
wounded. Strong complaint was made by the French of the
Bonneys conduct, but as it appeared at the court of inquiry that the
Sartme had hoisted a broad pennant, contrary to the custom of cartels
uled to lower it, Captain Home was acquitted of all blame 3
M., 56.
2 Beatson, v. 147 ; C. M., 57.
3 Chevalier, 105 ; C. M., 55, July 17th.
E 2
MINOR OPURATIO-NSt 1763-1792.
[1780.
On June 6th, irT West Indian waters, the Iris, 32, Captain
James Hawker, engaged for eighty minutes the French 32 of equal
force, Hermione,1 Captain de La Touche. Each side accuses the
other of breaking off the engagement, but as the Hermione was
coppered, and therefore presumably the fastest sailer, it is probable
that she, rather than the Iris, retired. The British loss was seven
killed and nine wounded ; the French lost ten killed and thirty-
seven wounded ; which bears out the account of the Iris's log, and
leads us to think that the Hermione had all the worst of it.
On June 15th, the British 32-gun frigate Apollo, Captain
Philemon Pownall, chased, and fought an indecisive action with,
the French privateer Stanislas, 26, in the Channel. The Apollo
lost her Captain and five other men killed, and twenty wounded,
The Stanislas ran aground off Ostend in neutral waters, but soon
got off, was taken into port, and was there eventually sold to the
British Government.2
On June 26th, in the West Indies, the French cutter Sans
Pareil was captured by the British 44-gun Phosnix and two other
frigates. On July 1st, the Romney, 50, cruising off Finisterre
under the command of Captain Eoddam Home, fell in with and
captured the French " frigate " Artois of 40 guns and four hundred
and sixty men.3 The Artois's battery is stated to have been com-
posed of 24-, 18-, and 9-prs. She was a new ship and much was
expected from her. In spite of this she struck after a short action,
having lost very heavily.
—
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed,
Wounded.
Total.
Romney .
50
Lbs.
416
•
365
0
2
o
Artois
40
?
460
20
40
60
Time, 45 minutes.
A few days later, on July 5th, the Romney made another prize ;
this time the Perle, of 18 guns and one hundred and thirty-eight
men, commanded by the Chevalier de Breignon. The Perle merely
fired a broadside, and then struck. On July 5th, the British
1 Troude, ii. 78-9 ; Beatson, v. 46-7 ; Log of Iris.
2 Land. Gazette, Aug. 8th.
s Not in Troude. The Artois was possibly a privateer or a ship hired from the
French king.
1780.]
DESTRUCTION OF THE CAPRICIEUSE,
53
frigates Prudente, 36,1 Captain the Hon. William Waldegrave, and
Licorne, 32, Captain the Hon. Thomas Cadogan, captured off Cape
Ortegal the Capricieuse, 32, a French frigate commanded by Captain
Le Breton de Eanzanne. The Prudente saw and gave chase to the
Frenchman at 10 A.M. of the 4th; at midnight she was able to bring
her enemy to close action, and attacked the Capricieuse yardarm to
yardarm, inflicting heavy loss upon her. The action had lasted
an hour before the Licorne could come up. She then stood across
the Capricieuse' 's quarter. The French ship, nevertheless, prolonged
her determined resistance to overpowering odds till 4.30 A.M., when
she struck, with five feet of water in her hold. The Capricieuse
was a new frigate of 1100 tons, pierced for forty-four guns and
mounting thirty-two, and was reduced to such a terrible condition
by the British fire that no attempt was made to bring her into
port. She was destroyed and her crew transferred to the British
vessels. The loss of life on board her during the action was very
heavy. Her captain and first lieutenant were killed, and all but
two of the officers were wounded. Her crew displayed the greatest
intrepidity in offering so stubborn a resistance to so superior a
force.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Lbs.
(Prudente .
897
40?
228?
247 n.
17
31
48
[Licorne .
679
32
174 n.
220 n.
3
7
13
" at least
Capricieuse .
1,100
32 '
174?
308
••
100"
Time, 4J-5i hours,
i So Troude, though British authorities say forty. I have reckoned her as an ordinary French 32 (12-pr.).
A third French ship fell a victim to the English on this day.
This was the Hussard, 18, which struck to the Nonsuch, 64,
Captain Sir James Wallace, off Ushant.
On the night of July llth, the Nonsuch, Captain Sir James
Wallace, cruising off Croisic, came up with the French frigate
Belle Poule, 32, commanded by the Chevalier de Kergariou-Coatles."
Against a line-of-battle ship, such as the Nonsuch, a frigate could
1 Of 44 guns according to Troude ; Gazette de France, 297, gives her twenty-eight
12's, eight 6's, and four 18's = " obusiers." Land. Gazette, July 18th ; Troude, ii. 81.
She was officially rated a 32.
1 Gazette de France, 303 ; Beatson, v. 137 ; Troude, ii. 81 ; Log of Nonsuch.
54
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1780.
hope to effect little ; but, notwithstanding the great disparity of
force, the Frenchman offered a brave resistance. For about twenty
minutes a running fight was maintained, in which Captain de
Kergariou in vain endeavoured to dismast or cripple the rigging
of his opponent. Just after midnight he yawed three times, and
fired as many broadsides at the Nonsuch's masts, but without
success. The Nonsuch closed him fast ; her musketry fire cut
down the men exposed on the poop and forecastle, which were
not barricaded, or the barricades of which had been thrown over-
board ; and her heavy guns quickly deprived the Belle Poule of all
manoeuvring power. Then the line-of-battle ship placed herself
on the frigate's port bow, and held this advantageous position for
a quarter of an hour. Soon after two the French captain was
mortally wounded ; but the French did not strike till three. Half
their guns were dismounted ; the masts and rigging were much
cut up ; the sea was pouring in through the shot-holes on the
water line ; and from below the cry was coming up, " We are
sinking." The British took possession about four o'clock. They
had suffered very slight loss, probably owing to the greater strength
of the line-of-battle ship's sides.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Nonsuch .
1,372
72'
Lbs.
648
491 n.
3
10
13
Belle Poule .
902
32
192
275
21
47
68
' Eight 12-pr. carronades, [cf. Gazette de France, 304] included.
The Belle Poule was bought into the British Navy and rated
as a 36.
An action, which is interesting as showing the British respect
for a strong neutral, is that between the Porcupine, 24, Captain
Sir Charles Henry Knowles, and Minorca, 18, xebec, Lieutenant
Hugh Lawson, on the one hand, and the French Montreal, 32, on
the other.1 The Montreal had under her charge a convoy of six
ships. On July 30th, she was attacked by the two British ships on
the Algerian coast ; but these did not venture inshore to rake her
owing to the risk of running aground. The three ships fought at
long range for an hour and forty minutes, when the Porcupine and
Minorca hauled off. The French lost four killed, including their
1 Gazette de France, 326 ; Troude, ii. 82; Beatson, v. 116.
1780.] MOUTBAY'S CONVOY. 55
captain ; the English had five killed and two wounded. They retired
because, had the Montreal struck, they could not have carried her off
from Algerian waters, and because three other ships had appeared
above the horizon. The French version represents the British as
employing three frigates, three " corsaires,' a " senau " (snow), and
a schooner. There is no mention of these craft in the British
reports ; the names of their captains, as given by the French, are
suspiciously un-English, and their existence seems to have been due
to a vivid imagination. Some days before this action the Porcupine
had fought an indecisive action with two Spanish polaccas.
On July 29th, a convoy of sixty-three valuable ships, bound for the
East and West Indies, left Great Britain under the care of Captain
John Moutray in the Ramillies, 74, with the frigates Thetis and
Southampton, both of 36 guns.1 On August 8th, in lat. 36° 40' N.,
long. 15° W., strange sails were seen, and Captain Moutray signalled
his ships to alter course and follow him close to the wind. They
paid no attention to his orders, and by daylight of the 9th the bulk
of the convoy found themselves close to the enormous combined
Franco-Spanish fleet. The warships, with eight of the convoy, alone
escaped ; the other fifty-five merchantmen, with 2865 prisoners, and
cargo worth a million and a half, were captured. It was a terrible
blow to British commerce, and especially to the forces in the West
Indies, which lost a vast quantity of military stores. The merchants
at home were so enraged that Captain Moutray had to be made a
scapegoat. He was tried by court-martial and dismissed his ship,
but was again employed before long. Early in July, the outward-
bound Quebec fleet was attacked on the Newfoundland Banks by
privateers, and about fourteen of its richest ships were carried off.3
On August 10th was fought the famous action between the Flora
and Nymphe, which demonstrated the value of the carronade, then
newly introduced into the British Navy.3 The Flora, 36, Captain
William Peere Williams, was off Ushant, when, in the afternoon,
she sighted and chased a cutter and a frigate. The former got
away ; the latter was overhauled and brought to action soon after
1 Gazette de France, 334, 347 ; Beatson, v. 149 ff. ; C. M., 56, Feb. 13th. During
the earlier part of this war the French were exceedingly well informed of British
proceedings Cf. ' Annual Register,' 1781, [239, for the trial of a French spy named
Lamotte, who appears to have sent them intelligence.
* 'Ann. Register,' 1781,3.
8 Gazette de France, 323-4 ; Troude, ii. 82 ; James, i. 39 ; Log of Flora ; Beatson,
v. 138. For an account of the introduction of the carronade, see vol. Hi., 330-333.
56
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1780.
five, when she proved to be the French 32-gun NympJie, Captain
Du Rumain. The two fought yardarm to yardarm from 5.45
to 6.15 P.M., during which time the Flora's wheel was shot away
and her shrouds and rigging were greatly cut up. On the other side
the French captain was mortally wounded by four musket-shot,
a magazine of cartridges exploded, the ship was twice on fire,
and terrible havoc was wrought on deck by one of the Flora's
18-pr. forecastle carronades, handled by only the boatswain and
a boy. At 6.15 the ships fell on board one another. The French
sounded " boarders away," abandoned their guns, and endeavoured
to carry the Flora. The attempts of the French to board having
been easily repulsed, it was now the turn of the British. They
dashed on to the Nymphe's deck, which presented a horrible scene
of slaughter, and quickly were masters of the ship.
• —
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Flora. . .
868
42'
Lb3.
333
259
9
17
26
Nymplie .
OS-
32
174
291
55
81
139
Time, about 50 minutes.
1 In the text above I have described the Flora by ber official rating as a 36-gun ship. But the official
rating is wholly misleading as it does not include carronades, nor does it give an)' real idea of the great
superiority of force on the British side. The French have always complained — and justly— of these fictions.
According to the account of the (French) Lieut. Taillard in the Gazette de France, the Flora had eight carronades,
1 8-prs. James (' Naval History.' i. 39), whom I have followed, gives her only six.
The number of the Nymphe's killed and wounded is given
differently in all the accounts, but the substantial fact remains
that she lost in less than an hour from 43 to 45 per cent, of her
crew, whilst inflicting on her enemy a loss of just 10 per cent.
Without doubt it was the superior weight of the Flora's metal,
her 18-prs. against the Nymphe's 12-prs., her 9-prs. against the
French 6-prs., and her carronades, which gave her the victory.
The Nymplie was a larger ship, a longer ship, and a better sailer,1
but she had not the battery. We cannot accuse the French of
either lack of spirit or mismanagement.
On August 13th, the Bienfaisant, 64, Captain John Macbride,
and Charon, 44, in charge of a convoy on the Irish coast, captured
a French privateer of unusual size, the Comte d'Artois, of sixty-four
Length of
gun-deck.
Beam.
Depth.
Tonnage.
Ft.
Ft.
Ft.
1 Flora .
. 137
38
13*
868
Nymphe
. 141J
38i
11}
937
1780.] CAPTURE OF AMERICAN DISPATCHES. 57
guns and 644 men. The French lost 57 killed or wounded, the
English ships 26.
On September 13th, the British sloop Rover, 18, Commander
Henry Savage, was captured by the French J-unon, 32, in the West
Indies.1 At the second shot one of the Rover's masts fell. She was
in a leaky condition, and had four feet of water in her hold, yet she
offered a good resistance, though she suffered no loss. On the 4th, a
French frigate and two ships of the line captured the Unicorn, 20,
Captain Thomas Lenox Frederick, off Tortuga, after a bravely
fought action in which she had two guns and two carronades
dismounted, and lost 4 killed and 13 wounded.2 Later in the same
month, off San Domingo, the British 14-gun ship Leveret is said by
Troude to have been captured by the French 18-gun cutter Serpent.3
The Leveret must have been a privateer, or an armed ship, since the
name does not occur in the Navy List.
On September 10th, a capture of great importance was made
by Captain George Keppel in the Vestal, aided by the Fairy*
This was the American packet Mercury from Philadelphia, with the
American minister to Holland, and important dispatches, on board.
The dispatches, as usual, were thrown into the sea when capture
was inevitable, but not being weighted they did not sink ; and an
English sailor leapt overboard and picked them up. Amongst them
was a treaty between the United States and Holland, which
betrayed the Dutch intentions of war. It is claimed that in October
the French frigates Aimable and Diligente captured three British
cutters, the Alert, Tartar, and Jersey, in the Bay of Biscay. As
their names do not occur in the Navy Lists of 1780 these ships
may have been privateers.
Between the 4th and 16th of October the West Indies were
visited by an extraordinary series of violent hurricanes, which
inflicted on the British Navy the severest losses. On October 5th
Eear- Admiral Eowley was caught at sea to the N.E. of San
Domingo with the Grafton, 74, Thunderer, 74, Hector, 74,
Berwick, 74, Ruby, 64, Trident, 64, Stirling Castle, 64, and
Bristol, 50. In the afternoon waterspouts were seen. Towards
dark the wind rose steadily, till at midnight a furious hurricane
blew. The Thunderer disappeared and was never seen again ; the
Grafton was dismasted, and the wreckage, dashing against her
1 0. M., 56, Jan. 18th. " Troude, ii. 84.
2 tt. * Beatson, v. 52.
58
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1780.
sides, was threatening to disable her, when twenty-five of her crew
volunteered for the desperately dangerous work of cutting it away.
In this they succeeded without suffering hurt or loss. That night
the Stirling Castle struck on the San Domingo coast and quickly
went to pieces, only fifty of her crew being saved. The Berwick
was so much damaged that she had to part company and steer
for Great Britain, and the Trident, Euby, Bristol, and Hector were
all dismasted. A day earlier the Phoenix, 44, was wrecked on the
Cuban coast ; the Scarborough, 20, Barbados, 14, and Victor, 10,
foundered ; and the Ulysses, 44, and Pomona, 28, were dismasted.
On October 10th, the Ajax, Montagu, Egmont, Endymion,
Amazon, Vengeance, and several smaller ships at St. Lucia, were
driven from their anchorage and dismasted. The Andromeda and
Laurel, both of 28 guns, were swept ashore at Martinique and but
few of their crews saved ; the Deal Castle, 24, was lost at Puerto Rico ;
the Cameleon, 14, and Blanche, 32, foundered at sea with the loss
of all hands ; the St. Vincent, 14, and Vengeance, 74, drove ashore
at St. Lucia, but got off again slightly damaged ; the Venus, 36,
and Alcmene, 32, were dismasted and carried to Antigua. Thus,
in all, His Majesty's fleet lost through these storms one 74, one 64,
one 44, a 32, and seven smaller ships.1
On November 2nd, the British ship Zephyr, 14, Commander John
Inglis (1), engaged in trade protection on the coast of Africa, with
the Polly, 16, privateer, entered the Gambia Eiver, and attacked the
French 18-gun ship Senegal, which, under the name of Racehorse,
had been captured from Great Britain.2 There was a sharp action
of five hours' duration, after which the enemy struck, with twelve
killed and twenty-eight wounded. The British loss was two killed
and four wounded. The Senegal did not long survive her capture, but
blew up on the 22nd, from some unexplained cause, killing twenty-
three British officers and men who were on board at the time.
In November and December, Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes
gained some small successes against the armed ships of Hyder Ali.3
One of the Madras Rajah's ships was cut out by the boats of the
squadron at Calicut ; a second was driven ashore ; but the Sartine, 32,
in covering these operations, was unfortunate enough to strike on
1 Beatson, v. 80-1. ; ' Ann. Register,' 1781, 30 ff.
2 Land. Gazette, Mar. 13th, 1781 ; Beatson, v. 93.
Arctic expedition in which Nelson took part.
8 Land. Gazette, June 16th, 1781. C. M., 55.
This was the Racehorse of the
1780.] TEE ISIS AND THE EOTTERDAM. 59
a rock and sink on November 26th. Her Captain, Eobert Simonton,
had previously protested against being sent too close inshore.
The Spanish sloop Real Carlos, 20, on a voyage between
Montevideo and Ferrol, met the British West Indiaman Mary,
M. Stewards, master, of twenty-two guns and eighty-three men
in the latitude of the West Indies on December 27th.1 She
fought the merchant ship for five hours, shooting away all her
topmasts, hitting her three times between wind and water, dis-
mounting seven guns and killing or wounding eight men. Each
side claims to have driven off the other, but, be this as it may, it
is wonderful that the merchant ship should have been able to
escape from a man-of-war. The Spanish loss was fourteen. Un-
fortunately the Mary, in her disabled state, was attacked a little
later by the American privateer Pilgrim and compelled to strike.
On December 30th, the Marlborough, 74, Captain Taylor Penny,
and Bellona, 74, Captain Richard Onslow, overtook and engaged
the Dutch warship Prinses Carolina, of fifty-four guns and three
hundred men, in the Channel.2 She could offer little resistance
to a force so superior. After thirty minutes' fight she struck with
sixteen killed or wounded to the British loss of three. She was
purchased and added to the Navy as the Princess Caroline.
On the last day of the year 1780 the Dutch 50-gun ship
Rotterdam was chased and attacked by the Isis, Captain Evelyn
Sutton, of her own force, in the Channel. The British ship fired
a broadside and came very precipitately to close quarters, when
the crew, who were raw and undisciplined, fell into great confusion.
The Rotterdam is said to have struck ; but Captain Sutton failed
to take possession of her. For his conduct he was court-martialled
and reprimanded. His defence was that his men had deserted
their quarters ; that on the lower deck there was much disorder,
and cartridges were left lying about ; that of a total crew of 284,
in place of 350, fifteen were sick, that of the rest many were un-
disciplined, had never been afloat before, and did not understand
English ; and, finally, that the men could not work the ship pro-
perly, but tacked slowly and awkwardly.3 The Isis had been sent
1 Gazette de France (1 781), 77 ; Beatson, v. 205.
2 Beatson, v. 148.
3 Beatson, v. 419 ; C. M., 56, Jan. 19 ; Nicolas, 'Nelson's Dispatches,' i. 36. In view
of the theory that Irish were not numerous in the fleet during this war, the mention of
men who could not understand English, and who were almost certainly Irishmen, is in-
teresting. Similar statements are not infrequent in the Mins. of C. M. during the period.
60
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1781.
to sea in hot haste, and the hands had never been exercised. In
these circumstances she was perhaps fortunate in escaping capture.
Some days later, on January 5th, 1781, the Hotter dam was brought
to action by the Warwick, 50, Captain the Hon. George Keith
Elphinstone. Though the Warwick's crew had been weakened by
detachments for the purpose of manning prizes, the Dutch ship
struck to her without causing her the loss of a man. Prior to this
action the Rotterdam had fought a British ship of the line and two
cutters, but had got away from them through the aid of two
French privateers.1
In January a weak French force landed in Jersey and seized
St. Helier, but was quickly overpowered and captured.2
On January 4th, whilst the French ship Minerve, 32, Captain
de Grimouard, was cruising with three other frigates in the Channel,
she and her sisters were chased by the British 74's Courageux,
Captain Lord Mulgrave, and Valiant,3 Captain Samuel Granston
Goodall. The Courageux was quickly within range of the Minerve,
but, to the surprise of the British, the frigate did not, as was the
custom, strike promptly to the line-of-battle ship. On the contrary
she fought on for an hour at pistol-shot range. Then, on the Valiant
coming up, the Minerve, reduced to a complete wreck, surrendered.
Her captain was wounded ; her crew had lost very heavily, two
officers being amongst the killed; her guns had for the most
part been dismounted ; her masts had fallen or were threatening
to fall; her rigging was terribly cut up; and her hold was filling
with water. Nor had the Courageux escaped scatheless. She had
seventeen killed or wounded, and had sustained grave injury to
her foremast, mizenmast, and bowsprit. For a frigate to have
offered such a resistance against such terrific odds, and to have
inflicted so much loss and damage, was no mean achievement.
—
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Courageux .
82 !
Ll)8.
829
590 n.
10
7
17
Minerve .
32
174
316 51 23
74
Time, 1 hour.
' Eight carronados allowed.
1 Gazette de France, 25.
2 Beatson, v. 367.
3 Gazette de France, 55 ; Troude, ii. 116 ; Beatson, v. 419.
1781.] BABKLET AT WILMINGTON. 61
The Minerve had to be towed into port, where she was purchased
for the Navy and named Recovery. She was the same Minerva that
had been captured by the French frigate Concorde on August 22nd,
1778.1 A new Minerva of thirty-eight guns had been built for the
British fleet in 1780.
On January 9th, 1781, the Fairy, 16 (6-pdrs.), Commander
Joseph Browne, was captured by a large French privateer of 30 or
32 guns, ten leagues S.S.W. of the Scillies. Her loss was due to
the fact that no private signals had been issued to the Plymouth
cruisers. It was consequently impossible for her to discover an
enemy at a distance.
On January 25th, a small combined expedition proceeded from
Charleston to Cape Fear Eiver.2 Captain Andrew Barkley had
under him the Blonde, 32, Otter, 14, Commander Eichard Creyke (1),
and Delight, 14, Commander John Inglis (1), and some smaller craft,
and was the naval commander. On board were 300 soldiers under
Major Craig. These, with 80 Marines were disembarked, and on
the 28th occupied Wilmington and captured seven American ships.
The object of this expedition was to open up sea communication
with Lord Cornwallis, and to secure a base for his army, then
moving northward. And here it may be mentioned that on
March 20th General Phillips, with 2000 men, was convoyed from
New York to the Chesapeake and James Kiver by the Ambus-
cade, 32, Chatham, 50, Orpheus, 32, Savage, 16, Halifax, 18,
Bonetta, 14, and Vulcan, fireship.
On Eodney's arrival at St. Eustatius, the Dutch frigate Mars,
38, and five other vessels of from 26 to 14 guns fell into his hands.3
A day before his coming a rich convoy of thirty ships had sailed for
Europe under the convoy of Eear- Admiral Willem Crul, in the Dutch
line-of-battle ship Mars* 60. Captain Francis Eeynolds, with the
Monarch, 74, Panther, 60, and Sibyl, 28, was despatched in chase.
On February 4th, at ten in the morning, he was alongside the Mars.
She refused to strike and a short action took place in which the
Dutch flag-officer lost his life. On this the Mars surrendered, to be
purchased into the Navy under the name of Prince Edward. All
1 Vide pp. 18, 19.
2 Lond. Gazette, Mar. 31st ; Beatson, v. 236-7.
3 See Chap, xxxi., (vol. iii. 481).
4 The duplication of the name Man is, at first, puzzling. No 60-gun Mars appears
in the list of the Dutch Navy (Beatson, vi. 256). [But the account of the capture
appears in its place in De Jonge, iv. 463 et seq. — W.L.C.]
62
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1781.
the ships of the convoy were taken, and by four in the afternoon
Captain Eeynolds was on his way back to join Eodney.
False colours were kept flying at St. Eustatius, and in this
way several merchant ships, American, French, and Dutch, were
captured. The goods seized in the island were sold by auction —
much below their real value — or shipped to Great Britain. It was
found that many of the merchants, who had warehouses at
St. Eustatius, were Englishmen. These were particularly detested
by Eodney, and were treated with inexcusable severity by him.
In the month of February the sloop Rover, 18, which had been
taken by the French on September 13th, 1780, was retaken by
a privateer, but was lost at sea with her crew.1 In the same month
the Romulus, 44,2 Captain George Gayton, was proceeding to the
Chesapeake when she was captured by a squadron from Des
Touches's squadron under the orders of Captain Le Gardeur de
Tilly, composed of the Eveille, 64, Gentille, 32, Surveillante, 32, and
Guepe, cutter.3
On the 25th, the Cerberus, 28, Captain Eobert Man (3), whilst
cruising off Finisterre, sighted, chased, and brought to action the
Spanish 30-gun frigate Grana, Don N. de Medina. She was a
month out from Ferrol on a cruise. Her armament was wretchedly
light, consisting of twenty-two 6-prs. and eight 4-prs., and to this
must probably be ascribed her easy capture.4 She was purchased
into the Navy under the same name, and rated as a 28.
—
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wouuded.
ToUl.
Cerberus .
28
Lbs.
126
176n.
0
2
2
Grana
30
82
166
7
17
24
Time, 15 minutes.
Towards the end of February, a flotilla of six British privateers,
of from thirty-two to four guns, entered the river Demerara,
1 Troude, ii. 117.
2 Troude, ii. 97 ; 0. M., 58, Sept. 26.
8 Land. Gazette, Mar. 10th ; Cerberus's Log.
4 The proportions of the Grana and Cerberus were these (Charnock, ' Mar. Arch.' iii.
258-9) :—
Length. Beam. Tonnage.
Cerberus 118 ft. 34 593
Grana 118 „ 31 528
1781.] RE-CAPTURE OF THE UNICORN. 63
and on the 27th of the month captured fifteen Dutch ships of
considerable value.1 In the meantime the British governor of
Barbados had sent an officer under a flag of truce to demand the
surrender of Demerara and Essequibo on favourable terms. The
governor, alarmed at the depredations of the privateers, at once
acceded to this demand. On March 17th, the French island of
St. Bartholomew surrendered to Commander Lawrence Graeme, of
the Sylph, 18.
On April 14th,2 the 36-gun American frigate Confederacy,
Captain Seth Harding, was captured by the British frigates
Roebuck, 44, Captain John Orde (1), and Orpheus, 32, Captain
John Colpoys, on a voyage from the West Indies to Washington.
She was loaded with stores for the American army, and with
colonial produce. She was purchased into the Navy under the
name Confederate.3
On April 16th, the George and Molly, 8 (3-prs.), Lieutenant
Kichard Saunders, captured an American 16-gun privateer in the
Channel.
The British 28-gun frigate Resource, Captain Bartholomew
Samuel Eowley, was cruising in the West Indies, when, on
April 20th, she sighted a large sail.4 As the stranger bore down
upon her, she cleared for action, and engaged at about 4.30 in the
afternoon. The enemy struck at six; she proved to be the Licorne,
a French frigate, commanded by Captain de St. Ture, and mounting
twenty 9-prs. and eight 12-pr. carronades. The Resource had her
Gunner killed and her second Lieutenant wounded. Her loss in
killed and wounded was much heavier than that of the French ship.
The gallantry of his crew was greatly commended by Captain
Rowley, as was that of some soldiers of the Loyal American
Eangers who were on board. The Licorne had passed through
rnan$ vicissitudes, as she had been originally a British vessel,
but had been taken by the French in September 1780, as has been
shown.5
1 Beatson, v. 172.
2 Beatson, v. 303. Maclay, i. 147, gives the 22nd as the date, but he is wrong by
the Roebuck's log.
3 Charnock, 'Mar. Arch.,' iii. 256, gives these particulars of her: Length,
159 ft. 7J in., beam, 36 ft. 9 in., draught, 12 ft. 1£ in., displacement, 959 tons. She
was at the date of her capture the largest 36-gun ship in the Navy.
* Beatson, v. 209; Log of Resource. The Licorne's name was commonly anglicised
as Unicorn.
6 See p. 57.
64
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1781.
—
Tons.
Gnus.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Resource .
603
34'
Lbs.
150
194 n.
15
30
45
Licorne .
581
28
138
197
8
30
38
1 Possibly the Resource was armed as the Licorne, though th3 28-gun ship properly carried twenty-four 9's,
four 3's, and six 12-pr. carronades. There seems in the rating to be some confusion between ships carrying
20 guns + 8 carronades, and 28 guns + carronades. In Schomberg and the List Books, the Licorne is a
20-gtm ship ; iu Charuock and Beatson a 28-gun ; in Allen she is a 24. Log of Jlesource calls her a 28-gun
frigate.
She was restored to the Navy as the Unicorn, 20.
On May 1st, the Canada, 74, Captain Sir George Collier, having
been detached from. Admiral Darby's fleet, then on the west coast
of Spain, to scout, came in sight of the Spanish frigate Sta. Leocadia,
34, Captain Don F. Winthuysen, and a small sloop, standing towards
a number of British merchantmen.1 The sloop escaped, but the Sta.
Leocadia was hotly chased all that day. At nightfall the ships were
still some distance apart when the wind began to fall. The Sta.
Leocadia endeavoured to make her escape by changing course. Un-
fortunately for her there was a bright moon and she failed in her
attempt. It was now calm and the Canada had almost forged within
pistol shot. The action was opened by the Sta. Leocadia, which
offered a desperate resistance to the tremendous fire of the ship of
the line. A heavy swell made the shooting difficult for the gunners
on both sides, and prevented the Canada from opening her lower-
deck ports. Some twenty minutes after the engagement had begun,
Winthuysen's arm was broken by a cannon-ball and he had to give
•up the command. A little later his successor had also to retire
—wounded in the tongue. After fighting for rather over half an
hour the Sta. Leocadia, disabled and leaking heavily, struck her flag.
Though pierced for forty guns, she carried only thirty-four.
—
Tons.
Guiis.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Canada .
1,605
82"
Lbs.
829
590
Sta. Leocadia
952
34
186?
250
20
10
30
Time, 35-45 minutes.
' Eight 12-pr. carronades included.
The Sta. Leocadia was purchased into the Navy and rated as a
1 Lond. Gazette, June 5th ; Gazette de France, 317 (1781) ; Log of Canada.
1781.]
THE NONSUCH AND ACTIF.
36-gun ship. In size and lines l she was little inferior to the
Confederate.
On May 14th, the Nonsuch, 64, Captain Sir James Wallace, was
scouting with Admiral Darby's fleet in the Bay of Biscay when she
saw and chased a sail, looking like a French line-of-battle ship.2
Soon after ten in the evening she was close enough to open on the
strange vessel, which was the Actif, 74, Captain de Boades. The two
interchanged broadsides and then the Nonsuch wore and raked her
opponent. The fight lasted for an hour, during part of which time
the ships were on board of one another, as the Nonsuch's anchor
hooked the Actif 's quarter. Getting free, the Actif made sail and
stood away, and the Nonsuch, owing to injuries to her mizenmast
yards and rigging, could not again overtake her for some hours. The
British ship, however, having repaired her injuries, pursued and
came up a second time about daylight on the 15th. A second and
still hotter action of ninety minutes' duration followed, in which the
Nonsuch sustained much damage. Her fore-yard fell, and her masts,
yards, and rigging were badly cut up. She, therefore, hauled off and
left the Actif free to retire to Brest. The latter ship made no
attempt to pursue, as there was some risk of falling in with Admiral
Darby's fleet. The Nonsuch's lighter metal and weaker hull were
probably the cause of her comparatively heavy loss.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed. \Voimded.
Total.
(Actif . . .
i
74 2
Lbs.
838
750
15 38
53
[Nonsuch .
1372
72 3
648
491 n.
20 64
90
Time, 2J hours.
' Probably of from 1680 to 1780 tons. We captured no French 74'sof less displacement between 1750 and 1783.
2 Troude, lac. cit., gives her only 64 guns, but Beatson, vi. 94, in his 'Correct List of the French Navy, 1778,
makes her a 74 ; so also Capt. Wallace describes her ; Lond. Gazette, loc. cit.
3 Sixty-four guns, and eight 12-pr. carronades which she most probably carried.
On May 27th, the British brigs Atalanta, 16, Commander
Sampson Edwards, and Trepassey, 14, Commander James Smyth,
saw and chased a strange vessel in the North Atlantic. As they
closed with her, however, ascertaining that she was of great size,
they hauled their wind, and made off, chased in turn.3 The
1 Length, 144 ft. 10 in., beam, 38 ft. 8 in., draught, 11 ft. 7J in.
2 Lond. Gazette, May 22nd ; Troude, ii. 118 ; Beatson, v. 384.
3 Beatson, v. 308 ; C. M., 58, Oct. 15th ; Gazette, Aug. 4th.
VOL. IV. F
66
MIX OR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1781.
stranger came up with them on the 28th about noon, when they
discovered that she was the American frigate Alliance, 36 Captoi
John Barry. The wind had fallen to a dead calm ; the brig
had no chance of escape; they therefore turned, and with sweeps
headed for the enemy. The Trepassey, endeavouring to ,
up a favourable position on the Alliance's quarter, unfortunately
overshot the mark and came up on her broadside.
Atalanta gallantly stood in to the rescue, between the American
and the British brig, but the Trepassey was so shattered that
she could not get away. The American captain early in 1
action was struck by a grape shot on the shoulder ; Commander
Smyth of the Trepassey was killed. Lieutenants in each .
took up the command. The Alliance, with a freshening breeze,
was able to use her heavy battery to the greatest advantage,
and a half hours after the first shot the Trepassey struck with a b
of seventeen The A talanta had been in action an hour longer than
her consort, and she still held out, but in the end struck with a losi
of twenty-four. On board her Lieutenant Samuel Arden lost an
arm, but with heroic courage, as soon as the amputation had bee;
performed, he returned to his quarters. All the ships were badly cut
up in masts and rigging. If evidence given at the court-martial
can be believed, the Alliance carried twenty-eight 12's and
Alliance .
I Trepassey
[Atalanta
Tons.
342
Guus.
36
14
16
1
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
"\Vouii tied. 1
Total.
Lbs.
201
300
6
20
32
28
80
6
11
17
32
125
6
18
24
Time, 4£-5 hours.
The Trepassey was sent to Halifax as a cartel ; the Atalanta was
shortly afterwards retaken off Boston by the Assurance, Charleston,
and Amphitrite. Considering the immense disproportion betwec
the two sides, the British must be held to have got off very lightly.
The British frigates Flora, 36, Captain William Peere Williams,
and Crescent, 28, Captain the Hon. Thomas Pakenham, had been
detached by Admiral Darby with a convoy to Minorca.
i He was promoted for his gallantry, and posted in 1783^ In 1806 he retired
« Beateon,v. 387 ; Land. Gazette, June 30th, 1781; Gazette de France, r. 2
1781 ; C. M., 57.
1781.]
THE FLOS A TAKES THE CASTOR.
their return, early on May 23rd, when off the south-east coast
of Spain, they were chased by a Spanish squadron, and only
escaped after a sharp skirmish, in which the Flora lost a man
killed and another badly injured, through loading a gun before
it had been sponged out. The British frigates, having shaken
off their pursuers by altering course, reached Gibraltar safely on
the 29th. After communicating with the garrison, they stood
over to Ceuta to look for two large ships which had been seen
earlier in the morning. They discovered these to be Dutch
frigates, and were preparing to attack when a storm compelled
them to haul off. Next day the wind fell and they were able to
attack the two Dutch vessels, which were the Castor, 36, Captain
Pieter Melvill,1 and the Briel, Captain Gerardus Oorthuijs, also of
36 guns. The ships paired off, the Flora engaging the Castor, and
the Crescent the Briel.
The Flora was very much more heavily armed than the Castor,2
but the Dutchman fought her, none the less, for two hours and
a quarter before striking. The Flora lost her Lieutenant of Marines
killed, as also did the Castor ; of the British wounded eight, and
of the Dutch eleven, died after the battle.
Tons.
Guns. Broadside. Men.
Killed. Wonnrted. 1 Total.
Flora. . .
868
42
Lbe.
333
270
9
32
41
Castor
06
186
230
22
41
63
Time, 2 hours 15 minutes.
The Crescent, a far smaller and weaker ship, was less fortunate
in her combat with the Briel, a vessel of equal if not superior force
The quarter-deck guns and four main-deck guns were disabled; the
head-yards and sails were shot away early in the engagement ;' and
a little later the wreck of the mainmast, mizenmast, and booms
fell into the waist of the ship, fatally encumbering her deck, dis-
abling all the guns before the mainmast, and rendering the ship
1 Pieter Melvill, born at Dordrecht in 1743, entered the navy at the age of fourteen •
leutenant, 1762; commander, 1766; captain, 1777; Schout-bij-Nacht, 1789- quitted
the service from 1795 to 1813 ; vice-admiral, 1814 ; died 1826.— W. L. C
2 Flora mounted twenty-six long 18-prs., six 18-pr. carronades, and ten 9-prs •
Castor only twenty-six 12-prs. and ten 6-prs.
P 2
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1781.
unmanageable. The Briel was to windward and could not be
boarded by the Crescent, and the Dutch frigate at once made use of
her advantage and came round under the Crescent's stern, whence
she began to rake the British ship. Captain Pakenham, as not
a gun would bear, and not a yard of canvas was left standing on
his frigate, was compelled to strike. The Dutch were not able
to take possession, since by that time the victorious Flora was
approaching. The Briel, therefore, made off to Cadiz in a very
shattered condition, and though her mainmast fell, succeeded in
reaching that port.
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Meu.
Killed. Wounded. Total.
Briel
Lbs.
36' 178
230?
12
40
52
Crescent . . 611
34 l
168
200 n
26
67
93
Time, 2 hours, 30 minutes.
l Uriel mounted twenty-six 12-prs., two 6-prs., eight 4-prs. ; Crescent's establishment was tweuty.four 9-prs.
and four 3-prs., in addition to which she probably carried four to six 18-pr. carronades. She has been allotted
therefore six carronades.
The Crescent's heavy loss was probably due to her weaker
scantling and sides, and to the fact that she was raked more than
once. That her crew faced a loss which probably exceeded 50 per
cent. — for British ships were as often as not below their nominal
establishment in number of men — speaks volumes for their obstinacy
and courage. Captain Pakenham, when his ship had struck, refused
to resume his command, considering that a court-martial was
necessary to clear him of guilt. The first lieutenant of the Flora,
John Bligh (1), was therefore appointed by Captain Williams to
the command.
Beatson justly remarks that a want of combination between
the British frigates is obvious. The evidence at the court-martial
showed that a considerable time intervened between the Castor's
striking to the Flora, and the Crescent's surrender, when the
Flora's help would have decided the action in favour of the Crescent.
Another British ship, the Enterprise, 28, Captain Patrick Leslie,
was in sight and sound of the engagement, but gave absolutely
no aid. She had a convoy in her charge, it is true, but her
mere appearance would probably have decided the capture of the
Briel. This action, again, appears to bear very strong testimony
:
1781.] LOSS OF THE CASTOR AND CRESCENT. 69
to the importance of a heavy battery. The men on either side
were of equal courage and skill, and so it was the weight of
metal which decided the day. Of course, if the Crescent carried
no carronades — a point on which we cannot speak with absolute
assurance --her weight of broadside would be only two-thirds that
of the Briel's.
The three ships repaired their injuries as well as they could,
and stood away for England.1 On June 19th, however, while the
Flora was chasing a privateer, a squall suddenly cleared and revealed
to her two French frigates, which at once gave chase. The battered
appearance of the three British vessels doubtless encouraged the
French to confront such formidable odds. Captain Williams did
not think it safe to risk an action after the heavy losses he had
sustained. He had not much more than three hundred unwounded
people to work and fight three ships requiring crews of seven
hundred men. The three parted company and steered different
courses. The Castor was overtaken by the Friponne, 32, and
with only seventy-five British seamen on board, nearly all of
whom were at the pumps or working the ship, struck at the
first shot. The Crescent had only five men to each gun on her
broadside, and but nine Marines to act as a small-arms' party.
She offered some resistance, but she, too, had quickly to strike.
The Flora alone succeeded in escaping.
On May 28th, the British ship Champion, 32, attacked the
Dutch fort of Commendah, on the Gold Coast, and was repulsed.2
At about the same time the Dutch captured Secondee, a British
fort near Cape Three Points.
On June 5th, in West Indian waters, the Ulysses, 44, Captain
John Thomas, had an indecisive action with the Surveillante, 40,
Captain de Villeneuve Cillart.3 The Ulysses laid the French frigate
alongside. Captain Thomas was almost at once wounded, and had
to be carried below, as also had the Master and one of the
Lieutenants. The wheel and tiller ropes were shot away, the
rigging was badly cut up, and the mainyard fell. At about midnight
the Surveillante made off after a four hours' fight. She is said to
have sustained severe damage. On July 28th, there was another
indecisive action, between the Fee, 32, Captain de Boubee, and the
1 Troude, ii. 119, and other authorities cited ; Letter of Acting Capt. John Bligh
in Gazette.
2 Gazette de France (1782), 265 ; Log of Champion.
3 Beatson, v. 208 ; Troude, ii. 1 19 ; Log of Ulysses.
70 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1781.
Southampton, 32, Captain William Affleck (I).1 The Fee is said by
Troude to have had a previous engagement on June 2nd with the
Ulysses? but that ship's log proves him to have made a mistake.
The vessel which the Fee fought cannot be discovered. The Fee
had lost her topmasts and was carrying jury rigging when sighted
by the Southampton. She was chased and closed by the British
vessel late in the night of the 27th-28th. The action began at
midnight at a cable's distance, and was maintained for ninety
minutes, when the two ships, having received serious damage to
masts and rigging, separated. Most of the Southampton's standing
and running gear had been shot away, and her foresail came
down just before the close of the action. She lost four killed and
twenty-three wounded ; the Fee, three killed and twenty-three
wounded.
On June 13th, in the Atlantic, the Snake 12 (4-prs.), Lieu-
tenant William Jackson, fell in with two American privateers
of immensely superior force, the Pilgrim and Rambler, and was
captured.
On July 21st, Commodore George Johnstone's squadron, on the
way to the East Indies, captured five valuable prizes in Saldanha
Bay.3 These were the Dutch East Indiamen Dankbaarheid, 24,
Perel, 20, Schoonkoop, 20, Hoogcarspel, 20, and Middelburg, 24.4
Their masters were surprised and could not escape ; they therefore
cut their cables, loosed their fore-topsails, and drove on shore,
where the ships were fired, and the men landed. The British
boats, however, were smartly on the spot and checkmated the
Dutch designs. The fires were got under on board all the ships
except the Middelburg, which burnt furiously, floated off, and
nearly drifted on board two of the other prizes. Finally she
blew up. A hooker laden with the sails of the captured ships,
was discovered hidden away, and captured. Two other hookers
were taken, but restored to the Dutch inhabitants by the Com-
modore. The prizes were sent home, but it is noteworthy as
showing the extreme insecurity of British waters at that time,
that two of them had sharp fights in coming up the Channel.
1 Log of Southampton ; Gazette de France, 381.
2 Troude, ii. 118.
3 Gazette, Oct. 15th.
4 The exact names of some of these ships are doubtful. They are suggested as
above by the misspelt travesties in the British accounts. They are not given by
De Jonge.— W. L. 0.
1781.] LOSS OF THE JACK. 71
The Hoogcarspel was chased by a French frigate, and had to retire
to Mount's Bay, there to await an escort. The Perel was attacked
by two privateers, which only retired when their ammunition was
exhausted.
On July 21st, the two French frigates Astree, 32, Captain de
La Perouse, and Hermione, 32, Captain de La Touche-Treville,
whilst cruising off Cape Breton Island, perceived several sail
approaching.1 They were a number of British merchant vessels
escorted by the Charleston, 28, Captain Henry Francis Evans ;
Allegiance, 14, Commander David Phips; Vulture, 14, Commander
Eupert George ; Vernon, 14, and Jack,2 14. The two last were
armed ships. After a long chase the French vessels came up
with them. The British formed single line ahead, the Charleston
in the centre, between their enemy and the convoy, and opened
fire between 7 and 8 P.M. The heavy fire of the French frigates
soon began to produce effect. The Jack — probably weakly built —
had to strike, and the French assert that the Charleston, having
lost her maintopmast, struck also, but that she took advantage
of the darkness to steal away. The Allegiance, Vulture, and
Vernon likewise made off, but the Astree had been so damaged
in her rigging during the action that she could not pursue.
The British ships altered course and got safely away, whilst the
French, after taking possession of their prize, returned to Boston.
Since the French official account represents M. de La Perouse
as fighting against odds, it is well to remember that two large
and heavily-armed frigates would have a great advantage against
a number of weak and small frigates, sloops, and armed ships.
The British ships, if they had carronades, no doubt carried a
greater weight of metal, but their scantling would be weaker,
and their force was scattered in several ships.
Amongst the British killed was Captain Henry Francis Evans of
the Charleston.
1 Gazette de Paris, 406 ; Beatson, v. 303 ; Troude, ii. 119 ; Allan, i. 317.
2 In the Navy List Book for June, Charles/on appears as a 32, Allegiance as a 16,
Vulture as a 16 ; but Steel gives the ratings as above. Allen adds to the ships given
the Rupert, armed ship, and wrongly names the Vulture's commander (William)
Langhorne. The Charleston was the American Boston, renamed after her capture.
Charleston's log is missing ; Allegiance's log makes no reference to the action. There
does not seem to have been a C. M. on the loss of the Jack, which was therefore
probably a merchantman. Possibly the Vernon was also a merchantman, as she does
not figure in Steel's contemporary list?.
72
MINOS OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1781.
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
(Astrce
\Hermione
32
32
ll,bs.
174
174
255
255
6
6
15?
15?
21'
21
64
348
510
12
30
42
1 Charleston
A llegiance
Vulture .
Vernon .
514
34 2
24
24
24?
168 2
102
102
102?
••
8
1
1
7
29
5
2
6
37
6
3
13
Jack . .
14?
42?
?
?
120
516
17
42
59
' French losses from Gazette de France, p. 407.
» Include carromdes, viz., six 18-prs. for Charleston, and ten 12-prs. each for Allegiance, Vulture, and
rernm. It is possible fiat they carried these guns. In any case the armaments of these ships are quite
uncertain. Fiench account* givj the Allegiance and I 'ernon, 24 guns, and the Vulture, 26. If this I ernon be
too same as the r. which on Mar. 16th, 1782. with the Success encountere 1 the Sta. C'atalina, she was a 22-guu
(6-pr.) ship. But there is no Vernon in the Navy I ist-> of t'je time.
On July 29th, the French ships Lively, 26, and Hirondelle, 16,
fell in with a British fleet in the Channel, and though the Hirondelle
got away, the Lively had to strike to the 36-gun frigate Perseverance,1
Captain Skeffington Lutwidge, after a short but desperate defence,
in which she lost six killed and ten wounded.
On July 30th, when de Grasse's fleet was entering the
Chesapeake, two British ships were seen off Cape Henry and
chased by the Glorieux, 74, and Diligente, 26. The British vessels,
which were the Guadaloupe, 28, Captain Hugh Kobinson, and
Loyalist, 16, Commander Morgan Laugharne, took to flight, and
the Guadaloupe got safely into York Eiver. The Loyalist, how-
ever, was run down and captured.
In August the crews of the British line-of-battle ships Lion
and Canada, which had been ordered with Admiral Digby to
escort a fleet to the West Indies, refused to go on foreign service
till they had received their pay, then a year in arrear.2 Thereupon
the men received six months' pay, and no longer raised any
difficulty.
On the 8th of that month the American frigate Trumbull, 32,
Captain James Nicholson, off Delaware, was sighted and chased
by the British Iris, 32, Captain George Dawson.3 The American
was badly manned ; she had a weak crew on board, and of these
1 Troude, ii. 121 ; Log of Perseverance.
* Gazette de France, 305.
3 Loud. Gazette, Sept. 25th ; Maclay, i. 142, 143 ; Beatson, v. 304.
1781.]
THE IBIS AND TRUMBULL.
73
many were British deserters. What her normal crew could have
been is difficult to conjecture, for American writers tell us with
one accord that she was two hundred men short. On the 9th
there was a heavy gale which brought down the American's fore
topmast and main top-gallantmast. Late in the evening, while she
was thus crippled, and before the wreckage had been cleared away,
the Iris came up. The Trwnibull's crew showed the greatest
cowardice or disaffection ; they put out the battle lanterns and flew
from their quarters, whilst Captain Nicholson «and Lieutenants
Alexander Murray and Eichard Dale, with a handful of American
seamen, alone fought the ship. After an hour's engagement the
Trumbull struck her flag.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broa-lsUe.
Men. Killed. Wounded.
Total.
7
Iris .
730
32 1
Lbs.
156
220 n
1
6
Trumbull .
••
32
174?
200?
5
11
16
Time, 1 hour.
1 C»rronades not included, as it is doubtful whether she carried them.
On August 7th, a brilliant display of courage and seamanship
was given by Commander Francis Eoberts and the crew of the
Helena, 14. * Eoberts had served under a good master, as he
had been first Lieutenant to Captain Farmer of the Quebec. He
ran into Gibraltar in the face of fourteen Spanish gunboats,
though the weather was so calm that the Helena's sails were
useless, and sweeps had to be employed. From the rock the
hostile boats could be seen close to her, "and," it is added, "the
clouds of grape and other shot that seemed almost to bury her
were astonishing." Presently the British gunboats "Repulse and
Vanguard went to her aid, and the Spaniards fell back. The
Helena was dreadfully cut up, but, strange to say, only lost
one man.
On August 14th, the British sloop Cameleon, 14, Commander
Thomas Drury, cruising in the North Sea, came up with and engaged
a Dutch dogger of 18 guns.'2 The Cameleon, which carried, in
addition to her gun armament, four carronades, was probably
of the heavier metal. The two fought furiously at the closest
Lond. Gazette, Sept. 18th.
2 76 , Aug. 21st.
74 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1781.
quarters for forty-five minutes, when the Dutch ship blew up,
setting the Cameleon's sails and rigging on fire, and covering her
deck with human fragments. Not one of the dogger's crew
survived the explosion. The British loss was thirteen, including
Commander Drury, wounded.
On August 19th, an allied expedition, under the Due de Crillon,
laid siege to Port Mahon in Minorca.1 Serving with the
British garrison was, according to the official account, a small
corps of Marines and sailors, who, " being more accustomed to live
on salted provisions, kept their health much better than the other
troops of the garrison did." They do not appear to have numbered
more than one hundred or two hundred men.
On August 24th, the armed ship Sandu'ich, 20, Commander
William Bett, and sloop Cormorant, 14, Commander Eobert M'Evoy,
were captured by de Grasse's fleet off Charleston Bar.
Early in the morning of September 2nd, the British 50-gun
ship Chatham, Captain Andrew Snape Douglas, overtook, after a
long chase, the French 32-gun frigate Magicienne, Captain de La
Bouchetiere." The Magicienne endeavoured to regain Boston, from
which port she was sailing to Portsmouth, New Hampshire ; but,
after a desultory cannonade, she found it impossible to escape, and
turned to fight a broadside action. She engaged the Chatham
in that way for thirty minutes. The weakness of her scantling
and battery, however, brought inevitable defeat, and, as usual in
cases where frigates fought sail of the line, she suffered very
heavy loss and inflicted little upon her enemy.
Tons.
Guns.
Broa'lsi.le.
Men.
KilleJ. Wounded. Total.
Chatham. . ; 1,052
GO1
Lbs.
534
350
1
1
2
Magicienne . ,
32
174
260
32
54
86
Time, 90 minutes.
1 Incluiiug ten 21-pr. carroujdea, which were probably carried. In the Hritish Xavy the Magicienne was
rated 36.
The time as given in the British accounts is thirty minutes,
but this probably does not include the desultory fire carried on
before the two came to close quarters.
1 Beatson, v. 309, 363. 2 Beatson, v. 304 ; Troude, ii. 121.
1781.]
LOSS OF THE IBIS AND RICHMOND.
75
On the 6th of September, the British sloop Savage, 16, Com-
mander Charles Stirling (1), whilst cruising off Charleston, was
chased and brought to action by the American privateer Congress, 24,
of vastly superior force.1 The Savage, as the enemy was so much
stronger, fired at the Congress's rigging, hoping thus to get away.
She did, indeed, compel the privateer to lie to to make repairs, but
not before her hull had been wrecked by the Congress's broadsides.
The privateer came up afresh, and, after another hour's fighting,
received the surrender of the Savage. According to American
historians — on what authority does not appear — the Congress's crew
was largely composed of landsmen. The Savage, on her way to
an American port, was retaken by the Solebay.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
KilleJ.
Woimiled. Total
Congress .
24
Lbs.
132
215
11
30 41
Savage .
302
24'
96
100?
8
31 39
Time, about 2 hours,
i Eight carrooades 12-prs., allowei.
Bear-Admiral Thomas Graves (2), when he appeared off the
Chesapeake and the French fleet put to sea to meet him, had reason
to suppose that the enemy's ships had slipped, and buoyed their
cables.2 He therefore despatched the Iris, 32, Captain George
Dawson, and Richmond, 32, Captain Charles Hudson, to cut away
the cables from their buoys. These ships were thus engaged when,
on September llth, they were surprised by M. de Barras' squadron
and compelled to strike.
Early in October a number of British ships were destroyed by
the American batteries before Yorktown. On the one side was
Washington's army, on the other de Grasse's fleet, so that no
escape was possible. Four vessels were set on fire by hot shot on
October 10th, the Charon, 44, Captain Thomas Symonds, Guada-
loupe, 28, Captain Hugh Kobinson, Fowey, 24, Captain Peter Aplin,
and Vulcan, fireship, Commander George Palmer, in addition to
some transports. In this way they were saved from the indignity
1 Beatson, v. 305; Maolay, i. 149; C. M. wanting ; Ann. Register, 1781 [251.
2 Beatson, v. 277 ; Troude, ii. 122.
76 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1781-82.
of a surrender to the Americans and French. The Bonetta, 14,
Commander Ealph Dundas, was taken, however, by the French
when Yorktown fell.
On October 26th, the Hannibal, 50, Captain Alexander Christie,
whilst cruising off the Cape of Good Hope, saw and chased a
fleet of merchant ships under convoy of the French Necker, 28. *
The Necker was captured, her mainmast, foremast, and mizen-
topmast going overboard just as the Hannibal was closing her.
With one other prize the Hannibal arrived at St. Helena. The
Necker was purchased into the Navy and was sent to the East
Indies. Though Beatson describes her as a frigate, Troude does
not mention her, and thus it is probable rather that she was an
armed merchantman, or a hired privateer, than a frigate of the
Eoyal French navy.
A marked feature of the year 1781 was the growing audacity of
the privateers, French, Dutch, and American, which infested British
waters.2 Aberbrothick was cannonaded and a ransom demanded ;
ships were carried off from Aberdeen ; French privateers cruised off
Dublin and Belfast ; American off Wexford ; and Dutch off Flam-
borough Head. Amongst the privateers taken this year was the
Jackal, 14, captured by the Prudente, 36. The Jackal, it will be
remembered, had been carried off from the Downs by her crew
on November 27th, 1779. Amongst the brilliant achievements of
British privateers was the capture by the Tigress, 22,3 T. Hall, of
Appledore, of a large Dutch ship, the Tromp, 46, which was
escorting two merchant ships.4 They also were taken.
On January 3rd, 1782, the Bonetta, 14, which had been
captured by the French, was retaken by the Ampliion, 32, Captain
John Bazely (1), on the American coast.5
On January 4th, Vice-Admiral Sir Edward Hughes, with his
fleet, arrived off Trincomale, the Dutch garrison of which place had
been for some time blockaded by the frigate Seahorse, 24. 6 A force
of five hundred sepoys, a battalion of sailors, and a detachment of
Marines were landed ; and on the evening of the 5th the Marines
carried Trincomale fort. On the llth, Fort Oostenburg, which com-
manded the town and anchorage, was stormed by the sailors and
Marines. The British loss was considerable, as a Lieutenant of
1 Beatson, v. 329. 4 Beatson, v. 428, 429.
2 Beatson, v. 401 ff., 422 ff. 8 Beatson, v. 553.
3 Six-pounders. l Beatson, i. 560 ff.
1782.] LOSS OF THE HANNIBAL AND ClIASEB. 77
the Superb, and twenty seamen were killed, and two officers
and forty men were wounded. A garrison was left in the captured
forts and the British squadron withdrew.
On January llth, the British frigate Coventry, 28, Captain
William Wolseley, cruising in the Bay of Bengal, sailed into the
midst of a French squadron on the Orissa coast, mistaking it for a
fleet of British merchantmen, and was captured.1
On January 18th, the Hannibal, 50, Captain Alexander
Christie, which had been detached by Commodore Johnstone
to the East Indies, was seen and chased by the French fleet
in the Indian Ocean.3 Calms and unfavourable winds prevented
her from making her escape, and on the 21st she was overtaken,
brought to action, and compelled to strike to the Heros, 74, and
Artesien, 64. A month later, on February 25th, the British
sloop Chaser, 18, Commander Thomas Parr, was captured by
the Bellone, 32, in the Bay of Bengal, after an action of twenty
minutes.3
At the end of January and the beginning of February the settle-
ments in Guiana, which had been captured by the British from the
Dutch, were recaptured by a French squadron of five ships, com-
manded by Captain de Kersaint, in the Iphigenie, 32. 4 With
the Colony were surrendered the following ships of the Navy :
Oronoq^le, 20, Commander William Tahourdin ; Barbuda, 16, Com-
mander Francis Fender ; Sylph, 18, Commander Lawrence Graeme ;
Stormont, 16, Commander Christmas Paul, and Eodney, brig, 16,
Lieutenant John Douglas Brisbane.
On March 16th, off Cape Spartel, the British frigate Success, 32,
Captain Charles Morice Pole, and the storeship Vernon, 22,6 sighted
a sail right ahead, which was presently made out to be a large
frigate with a poop.6 The stranger directed her course towards the
British vessels, and at about five o'clock hoisted Spanish colours.
The Success, as the enemy closed, raked her on the lee bow, passed
to windward, pouring in a vigorous fire at very short range,
wore, and renewed the attack on her lee quarter. The Spaniards,
1 Troude, ii. 225 ; Chevalier, 452.
2 Beatson, v. 568 ; Troude, ii. 167 ; Gazette de France, 1782, 300.
3 Troude, ii. 203 ; Beatson, v. 569.
4 Gazette de France, 185 ; Troude, i. 212-219 ; C. M., 59.
6 The Vernon did not belong to the Navy. Her master's name was John
.Falconer.— W. L. C.
6 Land. Gazette, Mar. 30th ; Gazette de France, 173 ; Log of Success.
78
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1782.
who had expected the British ship to engage broadside to broad-
side, were taken aback by this manoeuvre and fell into confusion.
According to the Spanish accounts the British ships had made
their approach under the Dutch flag,1 and just as a Spanish officer
was about to speak them, hauled down the false colours and sent
the true ones, opening fire simultaneously. The Vernon gave the
Success good support, and at about 8.20 A.M. the enemy struck. She
SIK CHARLES MUKICE POLE, BART., ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET.
(From H. K. Cook's engraving after the portrait by J. Northcote, It. A.)
proved to be the Santa Catalina, 34, Captain Don Miguel Jacon.2
He had been especially ordered to look out for the Success, and had
already chased her twice. He complained no little of the behaviour
of his crew. The details of the ships were as follows — for though
the Spaniards made the Success out a 24-pr. 38-gun frigate, there
1 This is corroborated by the log.
2 The log calls him Joron ; Schomberg, Jacen, and the Gazette, Jacon.
1782.]
CAPTURE OF THE SANTA CATAL1NA.
79
were then none such in the Navy, and their estimate was an
exaggeration.1
Tons.
Guns.
Men.
Broadside.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
(Success . .683
40 '
290n
Lbe.
246 '
1
4
5
(Vernon . . ! ?
22
100?
66
0
1
1
Sta. Catalina ?
84
339
180
25-30
8
33-38
Carrouades included.
The Sta. Catalina was a much larger and finer ship than the
Success, as the following figures will show :—
Success
Sta. Catalina
Length of Deck.
126 ft.
151 ft.
Beam.
35 ft. 2 iu.
39 ft. 4 in.
but she was palpably under-armed. Her hull was terribly shattered,
being, according to Captain Pole's letter, " like a sieve, the shot
going thro' both sides." Her mizenmast fell before she struck, and
her mainmast afterwards. So damaged was she that when, on the
18th, other supposed hostile sail were seen, Captain Pole decided
to set her on fire. This was accordingly done, after the prize crew
and prisoners had been removed. The strange sail, however,
proved to be the British ships Apollo, 32, and Cerberus, 28, with
a convoy. The Success underwent some danger on her voyage
home in consequence of the great number of prisoners whom she
had on board.
In the winter of 1871, and spring of 1782, the Leander, 50,
Captain Thomas Shirley, and the Alligator, 14, Commander John
Frodsham, were engaged in operations against the Dutch forts on the
Gold Coast.2 Between February 16th and 21st unsuccessful attacks
were made on Elmina. Aided by troops who were disembarked
from his ships Captain Shirley took Mouree (March 2nd), Com-
mendah (March 6th), Apam (March 16th), Barracoe (March 23rd),
and Accra (March 30th).3
1 The 38-gun frigates of the time mounted 18, not 24-prs.
* Land. Qazette, July 9th ; Log of Leander.
3 Mouree, near Cape Coast Castle ; Commendah or Cormantyne, some miles to the
west ; Apam, east of Cape Coast Castle ; Barracoe, between Apam and Accra further
to the east again. They will all be found on an old map of West Africa : Brit.
Museum, 63690.
80
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1782.
On April 8th, the General Monk, 18, Commander Josias Eogers,
whilst operating in Delaware Bay, was unfortunate enough to be
captured. Aided by a 16-gun privateer she had driven a 16-gun
American ship on shore, and had taken a brig of 14 guns, when
she was engaged by the Pennsylvanian ship Hyder Ali, 18.1 The
General Monk was armed almost entirely with 9-pr. carronades, and
those, at the range the Hyder Ali selected, were quite useless.
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF TI1E DEFENCE OF GIBBALTAK, 1779-83.
(From an original lent by Caitt. H.S.H. Prince Louis of Battcnbcrg, E.N.)
Moreover they were badly mounted and upset on being fired. The
British ship was compelled to strike.
Tons.
Guns.
Men.
Broadside.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Hyder Ali .
?
18
130
Lbs.
78
4
11
15
General Monk
9
18 l
110
78
8
29
37
1 Sixteen 9-pr. carrouades, two6-pr. cauuous.
On April llth, the armed cutter Jackal, 20, Lieutenant Gustavus
Logie, was captured in the West Indies by the American Deane, 32,
otherwise known as the Hague.
On April 20th, Vice-Admiral the Hon. Samuel Barrington, who
was cruising off Brest with twelve sail of the line and three frigates,
1 Beatson, v. 555.
1782.] TEE FOUDROYANT AND PEGASE. 81
watching for a French convoy which was to sail for the East Indies,
came within sight of a hostile squadron and signalled a general chase.1
The 80-gun ship Foudroyant, which had the honour of being the
largest two-decked vessel in the British Navy, and which was com-
manded by Captain John Jervis, quickly outstripped the rest of
her consorts. By nightfall she got sufficiently close to discover
that the French squadron consisted of " three or four warships,
besides eighteen vessels under convoy." The warships were the 74's
Pegase and Protecteur; the 32-gun frigate Andromaque ; and another
frigate and the Actionnaire, 64, equipped as storeships. The other
vessels of the British fleet were almost out of sight, when Captain
Jervis made up his mind to pursue the Pegase, the largest of the
French ships. He cleared for action, and, as the night was dark
and it was difficult to keep the chase in sight, ordered Midshipman
Eichard Bowen2 to the forecastle with directions not to take his eyes
off her. At midnight the Foudroyant was near enough to her enemy
to make out that she was a ship of the line. The other French 74—
the Protecteur — was too far off to give her consort any support,
and the way was open for the Foudroyant. The Frenchman put
his helm up, and endeavoured at the outset of the action to
rake the British ship, but, owing to the smartness of young
Bowen, the Foudroyant anticipated this manoeuvre, put her helm
to port, passed under the Frenchman's stern, and raked her with
deadly effect. The French captain, de Sillans, had failed to make
use of his stern-chasers, though for nearly four hours the Foudroyant
had been within their range. He had not been able to place small-
arms'-men in the rigging and tops, nor to get the grappling-irons
into position. Though his crew had suffered heavily from the
British fire, and though his ship had sustained considerable
damage, he attempted to board his antagonist.3 His attempt was-
made without sufficient preparation and determination ; everyone
was summoned on deck, the batteries between decks being thus
abandoned ; and the result was a repulse. The British then
1 Tucker's ' Life of St. Vincent,' i. 71-76 ; ' Dictionary of National Biography/
article, ' John Jervis ' ; Chevalier, 330-334 ; Beatson, v. G56 ; Keport of Barrington,
Loud. Gazette, Apr. 27th, May 4th ; Gazette de France, 189. This affair is briefly
alluded to in chap. xxxi.
2 Richard Bowen, born, 1701 ; Lieutenant, 1782 ; Commander and Captain, 1794 ;
won great fame as a frigate captain ; fell at Santa Cruz, July 24th, 1797. — W. L. C.
3 One of the judges at the court-martial held M. de Sillans's manoeuvres to be so
bold, that with a better crew he would infallibly have captured his enemy. Chevalier,
i. 333.
VOL. IV. G
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1782.
boarded, laying the Foudroyant along the French ship's port side,
and, headed by Bowen, carried her easily, a little after one o'clock.
The action was in many ways surprising. The Foudroyant was,
it is true, of superior metal, having an advantage of about one-eighth
in weight of broadside, but that advantage would not be expected
to give her the victory with such trifling loss as she actually
sustained. No one was killed on board her ; and the wounded,
amongst whom was Captain Jervis, were only five. A desperate
resistance was to be looked for from a French line-of-battle ship,
at a time when France had, in single-ship actions, fairly held her
own. But the truth was that the Pegase had been built and sent
to sea in the extremest haste.1 She had only been launched on
April llth ; on the 13th M. de Sillans had taken command ; on
the 19th she had left Brest. She was very heavily laden and could
not open her lower-deck ports. As a further disadvantage her
personnel was exceedingly bad. A young sub-lieutenant of nineteen
commanded her lower-deck battery, and her men were raw landsmen,
as sailors could not be found. When she fought the Foudroyant
her quarters' bill had not been drawn up. Her captain had
doubtless made mistakes, but, though he was suspended from
command by the sentence of the French court-martial, his superiors,
who sent him out, must bear some part of the blame for the loss
of the ship. A vessel sent to sea in war-time should be in a state
to uphold the honour of her flag when she puts out, and should
certainly not be manned by landsmen.
The comparative force of the two ships was as follows : —
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded. Total.
Foudroyant .
1,979
88
Lbs.
1,020'
719
0
5
5
Pegase
1,778
74
838 2
700
80
40
120
Time, 45 minutes.3
I The Foudroyant is assumed to have cavriel the ordinary armament for 80-gun ships, viz., thirty 32'8
thirty-two 24's, and eighteen la's. She had probably, in addition, four 12-pr. carronades.
* French shot were also one twelfth heavier than their nominal weight, which would bring the broadside of
the I'egase to about 900 Ibs. See James, ' Naval History,' i. 45.
3 [According to Chevalier (i. 330) and M. de Sillans ( Gazette de Frame, 189) the Pajate did not strike till 3 A.M.
in which case the action lasted three hours. Barringtou's letter gives the time as 45 minutes.
1 The Pegase was laid down, built, completed, and at sea in three months and five
days ; thus surpassing the record of the Couronne, which was laid down on May 17,
1781, and was cruising with de Guichen in December. See ' Parliamentary History,
1782.] TUE STA. MAS G A RITA AND AMAZONE. 83
After the action the Pegase's mizen mast and fore topmast
went overboard. On the morning of the 21st, other ships of the
squadron came up, and Captain Jervis was able to put eighty men
into his prize, and to withdraw forty from her. More he could
not take on board owing to the heavy sea. The Queen, however,
came to the assistance of the Pegase, took three hundred prisoners
on board, and placed forty more men on the prize. Next morning a
fresh sail was seen and chased by the Queen. After some hours the
British ship came up with the stranger, which proved to be the store-
ship Actionnaire. She received a broadside, and then struck, with
thirty-four men killed or wounded. She was bound for Mauritius
with masts, sails, rigging, and stores for the French squadron in the
East Indies, and with five hundred and fifty soldiers. Of the
convoy, ten were taken and sent safely into British ports.1 In this
ignominious rout ended the second attempt of the French to de-
spatch a convoy to India ; the Protecteur only, with three or four
ships, succeeding in evading the vigilance of the British observing
squadron.
For his victory Captain Jervis was rewarded with a K.B., and
permitted to bear on his coat-of-arms a winged horse.
On May 8th, the British governor of the Bahamas was obliged
to capitulate to an overwhelming Spanish force, which was aided
also by a considerable number of Americans.
On June 26th, the Alligator, 14, Commander John Frodsham,
whilst carrying dispatches home from West Africa, was chased off
the Lizard by the French frigate Fee, 32, and taken.2 The Alligator
defended herself with great courage and held out to the last. She
lost three killed and sixteen wounded.
On July 29th, whilst cruising on the American coast, the
Santa Margarita, 36, Captain Elliot Salter, was chased by the
French frigate Amazone, 36. The British frigate made all sail away,
xxii. 902. At Brest France hail three thousand shipwrights at that time, whilst
Portsmouth only employed eight hundred, and British ships were often three or four
years on the stocks.
1 The names were Lion, Grand Sarpedon, Bellone, Fidelite, Due de Chartres,
Superbe, Ifonore, Villa Nova, Amphion and Chalnour. The Marquis of Castries,
•which is included in some lists, was not taken with this convoy, but later : see
Beatson, v. 659. Lapeyrouse, iii. 259, gives the transports captured as twelve in
number.
2 Gazette de France, 265 ; Land. Gazette, July 9th ; C. M., 59, Aug. 7th. According
to evidence there given the Fee carried four 18-pr. carronades.
G 2
84
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1782.
for astern of the Frenchman several other warships could be made
out. About the middle of the afternoon these other ships were lost
to sight ; and at the request of the crew, Captain Salter tacked and
stood to meet the Amazone, which did not decline the fight. The
battle opened at five, the two ships closing gradually to within
pistol shot. At that range they fought for an hour and a quarter
before the Amazone struck, with her captain killed, half her men
killed or wounded, four feet of water in the hold, and her masts and
rigging very much cut up. The main and mizen masts fell just
as the flag was hauled down. The force of the two ships was as
follows : —
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
AVounded.
Total.
|
Lbs.
Santa Marga-\
rita1 . ./
992 44
258
247
5
17
22
Amazone .
36
186
301
70
70-80
150
1 Troude gives the Sta. Margarita, 39 guns and 10 caiTonades and calls her au 18-pr. frigate. This is a
ridiculous exaggeration, as the List Book.fhows her to have been a 3U-gun ship, and James, i. 366, proves
her a 12-pr. frigate. At the seme time Trumie ja-obably understates the armament of the Amazone. He gives
her no 6-prs. and only twenty-six 12's. Capt. Sailer's letter gives her ten (i's, and these I have allowed in the
table. The Sta. ilanjarita probably carried eight 18-pr. carronades.
The British frigate was severely wounded in masts and rigging,
but otherwise suffered little injury. A lieutenant and sixty-eight
men were sent to take possession of the prize, which was taken in
tow. Although all possible sail had been made, Captain Salter was
chagrined next morning to discover the enemy's fleet in sight.
In these circumstances he had no alternative but to recall his men
from the prize and abandon her to the enemy. This was done, and
he safely effected his retreat.
On July 30th, the Cormorant, 16, Commander John Melcomb,
captured the French sloop Temeraire, 10, some days out from Brest
with dispatches.1
At the end of May a French expedition under M. de La Perouse
sailed from Hayti for Hudson's Bay, which it entered, after
sustaining some damage and being in imminent danger in the ice,
on July 17th.2 It was composed of the Sceptre, 74, Asiree, 36,
and Engayeante, 36, with 290 soldiers on board. On August 8th,
1 Beatson, v. 675.
2 Gazette de France, 413 ; Beatson, v. 540 ; Troude, ii. 220 ; Annual Register 1783
116 ff.
1782.]
THE FRENCH IN HUDSON'S LAY.
85
it arrived off Fort Churchill. The governor of the fort, panic-stricken,
surrendered without sending information of the coming of the
French to the other stations. Having destroyed the fort, the
French sailed for Fort York at the mouth of the Nelson, which
they surprised and captured in the same way. There, too, the
governor, who might have made a successful resistance, displayed
only discreditable cowardice, and surrendered at the first parley.
The French landing party had to wade ashore through nearly a mile
of soft mud, far out of the reach of the covering squadron. They
had then to enter the trackless forests and to cross a marsh six
miles wide. The fort was burnt, and the troops re-embarked.
M. de La Perouse, with a kindness and humanity rare in the annals
of war, left a certain quantity of ammunition and provisions for
some of the British, who had fled to the woods. A Hudson's Bay
Company's ship in those lonely waters was all but taken by the
French, but succeeded in making her escape.
On August llth, the British sloops Swift and Speedy were
captured by the French frigates Friponne and Besolue,1 according
to Troude. British authorities do not notice this, and the Speedy
appeared in the Navy List for long afterwards.
On August 12th, the British frigate Coventry, 28, Captain
Andrew Mitchell (1), whilst on her way from Bombay to join
Hughes's squadron of Ceylon, fell in with the French Bellonz of
32 guns, Captain de Piervert.2 The two closed and fought a
desperate but indecisive action for two or two and a half hours,
early in which the French captain fell. The second and third
officers of the Bellone disputed as to the command, and meanwhile
the French ship was paralysed. Each side accuses the other of
retiring; the British Captain alleging that the Bellone was only
saved by the arrival of the main French fleet. Both ships sustained
severe damage and heavy loss.
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside. Men.
Killed WonndeJ. ' Total.
Coventry . . 599
Lbs.
28' 120? ; 200
15 29
44
Bellone . .
32
174?
i
?
1 Trcuile calls her a 30-gun ship and gives her twenty-six 12' » and four 6's. He gives her no carronades.
But our 28's were usually 9-pr. ships and with carrouaJes the broadside would be 174 Ibs. : without, 120 Ibs. British
accounts give Bellone 48 guns ; Troude, twenty-six 12's an 1 six 6's.
Troude, ii. 205.
2 lit. : Beatson, v. 590.
86
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1782.
On September 1st, the British 18-gun sloop Due de Chartres,
Commander John Child Purvis (I),1 captured the 22-gun Aigle,
described as a corvette in the French navy, off the American
coast. As the only Aigle in the French navy which the author
can trace was a 40-gun frigate, it is probable that this sloop
was a hired craft.
On September 4th, the British ship Rainbow, 44, Captain Henry
Trollope, cruising off the He de Bas, sighted and chased a large
French frigate, the Hebe, 40, Captain de Vigny.2 The Rainbow
opened on her with her bow-chasers. The enemy responded from
her stern-chasers, but as the Rainbow closed, the Hebe luffed,
fired a broadside, and, to the great surprise of Captain Trollope,
struck. It appeared that the 32-lb. shot from the Rainboic's bow-
chaser carronades had fallen on board the Hebe, and that their size
led Captain de Vigny to suppose he was dealing with a vessel of the
line. The Rainbow was armed entirely with carronades, of which
she had twenty 68-prs., twenty-two 42-prs., and six 32-prs., against
the Hebe's twenty-eight long 18-prs. and twelve long 8-prs. At
close quarters, therefore, the Rainboic would have had an enormous
advantage.
Tom.
Guns. Brcadside. Men.
Killed. Wounded. Total.
Lbs.
1
Rainbow .
831
50
1,238
297n
I1
0
1
Hebe . . .
1,063
40 2
235
360
5
? 5?
1
i Killed by accident.
• Troude, 38 guns, as also Charnock. The dimensions «f the two ships were —
Length.
Rainlow
Hebe
133ft.
150ft.
Beam.
3" ft. 114 in.
39ft. 11 in.
Depth.
16ft.
12ft. loin.
Captain de Vigny was court - martialled for misbehaviour,
and cashiered and sentenced to fifteen years' imprisonment for his
conduct. The Hebe's only injury was a wound to her foremast
and some damage to her wheel.
At the end of July, Kear-Admiral Graves, with the Ramillies,
Canada, and Centaur, all 74's, and the Pallas, 32,3 left Jamaica with
a large convoy, consisting of the sail of the line captured on
1 Capt. Purvis was, in consequence, posted as from Sept. 1. — W. L. C.
2 Beatson, v. 675, vi. 379 ; James, i. 40 ; Troude, 206 ; Log of Rainbow.
' Annual Register, 1783, [121 ; Hood's Letters, 138 ; Beatsou, v. 495-525 ; Gazette
de France, 429 ; Troude, ii. 207.
1782.]
DEFENCE OF THE HECTOR.
87
April 12th from the French fleet by Eodney — Ville de Paris, 110,
Glorieux, 74, Hector, 74, Jason, Caton, and Ardent, all 64's —
and of some 180 homeward bound merchantmen. Both the
Ardent and Jason had almost at once to put back owing to
their very leaky condition. The others joined Kodney's fleet
off Havana on August 14th, and lost it during the night. Part
of the convoy was bound for New York, the rest for England, and
so the course steered was a northerly .one. On August 22nd, the
Hector, Captain John Bourchier, being in a miserable state,
shattered, leaky, and with a crew of but 223 men, of whom many
were sickly, dropped astern. On September 4th, she was sighted
by two very powerful French frigates, the Aigle, 40, Captain
La Touche-Treville, and Gloire, 32, Captain de Vallongue. They
chased her during the night, and, noting that she only mounted
fifty-two guns and that, from the want of men, she was very feebly
handled, brought her to close action at about 2 A.M., one on the bow
and the other on the quarter. A three or four hours' engagement
followed, in which the Hector, in spite of her weakness, showed
herself a formidable antagonist. Captain La Touche-Treville made
one attempt to board, but was repulsed. The resistance of the
Hector was almost as creditable as was, years later, that of the
Leander. Both ships were manned by seamen from a victorious
fleet. At last the two French ships retired, leaving the Hector in
a very battered condition, with all the masts wounded and the hull
very leaky. The excuse for their retreat was that other British
sails could be seen on the horizon. This, however, was incorrect.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Wen.
Killed.
Wounded. Total.
Lbs.
Hector
52
400?
223
9
33
42
(Aigle . . .
1,002
40'
384
500 )
5 i i
16
(Gloire . .
32
174
255 n j
Time, 3 hours.
i Twenty-e'ght 24's and twelve 8's. She was the finest frigate In the French navy. Both frigates had many
troops on board.
Amongst the severely wounded was the British captain,
Bourchier. After the action the water gained so on the pumps
that the hold filled and the provisions spoiled. A terrible scene
followed. The officers with swords and pistols kept the failing
£8
seamen
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1782.
. to the pumps, at which several men dropped dead. After
incredible sufferings the remnant of this heroic crew was rescued by
a gallant privateersman, Hill of the Hawke, a Dartmouth snow.
At imminent risk to his own small craft, he embarked the Hectors
men, and reached St. John's in safety with them.
The other warships of Graves's squadron were equally un-
fortunate. In a gale on September 8th the Caton sprang a leak,
and, with the Pottos, was ordered to put back to Halifax, where
both arrived. On September 16th, the fleet and convoy, then
ninety sail strong, were off the Banks of Newfoundland, when a
terrific B.S.E. gale caught them, rising steadily during the evening
and night, till, early in the morning, a furious N.N.W. squall
succeeded. The sudden shift of the wind was disastrous to the
fleet. The BamiUies lost her main, mizen, and foretop masts.
A perfect deluge of water descended ; the seas swept the deck ;
on all sides signals of distress were flying ; and there was scarcely
a man-of-war which was not dismasted and foundering. At 10 A M.
of the 9th, the BamiUies, with fifteen feet of water in her hold,
was abandoned and set on fire, her crew taking to the boats. The
Ville de Paris and Glorieux were never seen again. A seaman,
floating on a mass of wreckage, was picked up by a Danish
merchant ship. He had been in the Ville de Paris, had seen the
Glorieux sink, and could tell nothing more. Memory had left
him. The Centaur lost all her masts and her rudder. When she
heeled in the squall, the water in the hold burst up between decks,
and the ship became a water-logged hulk, settling slowly. The
tale of those who survived is one of the most piteous records of
human agony— mental and physical. Her captain, John Nicholson
Inglefield, untrue to the greatest traditions of our Navy, which
ordain that the Captain shall be the last to quit his ship, at what-
soever peril to himself, left her in a pinnace with eleven others,
and, after enduring incredible tortures, reached the Azores sixteen
days later. The Canada — one suspects very skilfully handled by
such a captain as Cornwallis— lost her mizenmast, but reached
Great Britain, though leaking heavily. The Jason arrived in a
similar condition.
That the men-of-war must have been in a dilapidated condition
is evident from the fact that the losses of the convoy were by no
means so heavy. The captured vessels would naturally be in bad
order. The Bamillies was an old craft — built in 1763 — and had
1782-] CAPTURE OF THE AIGLE. 89
been some time on the station ; the Centaur, built in 1759, was
even worse. But such was our want of ships that these vessels
had to be employed.
On September 9th, four East Indiamen and "country ships"
beat off the French frigate Pourooyeuse, 40, in the Straits of Malacca.
On September 12th, the French frigates Aigle and Gloire chased
and captured the British 14-gun brig Racoon, Lieut. Edmund
Nagle.1 On the same day they were chased by a British squadron
under Captain the Hon. George Keith Elphinstone, composed of
the Warwick, 50, Lion, 64, Vestal, 28, and Bonetta, 14. On the
13th, the two Frenchmen entered the Delaware by a shallow and
difficult channel, whither Captain Elphinstone followed them. On
the 14th, after a desperate pursuit, the Aigle ran aground in shallow
water. The Vestal and Bonetta placed themselves on her quarter,
the Sophie, a prize captured from the French, took station under
her stern; and, unable to make any reply, the Aigle struck,
not, however, without Captain La Touche-Treville having cut
away his masts and bored through the bottom of his ship. She
was got off and repaired by her captors. The Gloire, of lighter
draught, escaped up the river. La Touche-Treville was made
prisoner and taken to Great Britain.
On October 14th, Captain George William Augustus Courtenay
of the Eurydice, 24, captured the French 14-gun brig Samoa (sic),
of one hundred and six men. At about the same time the
Jackal, 14, captured the French lugger Sylph.2
On October 17th, the London, 98, Captain James Kempthorne,
Torbay, 74, Captain John Lewis Gidoin, and the sloop Badger, 14,'
sighted and chased two strange sail off San Domingo.3 These
were the Scipion, 74, Captain de Grimoard, and the 40-gun frigate
Sibylle, both French vessels. The London, in the course of
the afternoon, drew up with the Scipion, and a running fight began,
both ships using their chasers, and the Lo)idon yawing from
time to time to bring her broadside to bear. The Sibylle kept on
the London's bows, and maintained a galling fire. At 8.30 P.M.
the London got close enough to use her broadside with effect. For
twenty minutes the two fought, and then fell on board one another,
1 Beatson, v. 548 ff. ; Troude, ii. 209 ; Land. Gazette, Nov. 12th.
2 Land. Gazette, Oct. 19th. Not in Troude ; probably the Samea and Sylph were
privateers or armed ships. This Jackal was a cutter, commanded by Lieut. Daniel Dobree.
3 Beatson, v. 526 ff. ; Gazette de France, 489 ; Troude, ii. 210 ; C. M., 60, Nov. 26th,
which also gives extracts from logs.
90
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1782.
the Scipion's larboard cathead being abreast of the London's star-
board gangway. When the Scipion got clear, the small-arms' fire
of both ships had, in the few minutes during which the ships were
locked together, wrought terrible ravages amongst the men at the
upper deck guns. The Scipion passed astern of the London and
raked her, shooting away her weather tiller-rope and fore-yard arm,
and wounding her mizenmast. Thus disabled, the London all but
fell on board the Torbay, which had come up on the French
ship's larboard quarter and opened fire. Both ships were much
delayed, and the Scipion was given a start. The Torbay and
the London, as soon as it was possible to wear her, resumed the
pursuit, and exchanged some shots with her and with the Siuylle
during the night, but the two-decker was able to get away. Closely
pursued, she entered Samana Bay on the morning of the 18th, and
was just anchoring there when she struck a rock and sank. Her
behaviour in the action with, and her escape from, two such
powerful ships as the London and Torbay were most creditable
to her. The Sibylle easily effected her escape.
Tuns. Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
I London . . 1,894
98'
I.bs.
1018
743 n. 11
72
83
(Torhiy . . 1,572
82
828
594 n. ?
i)
<>
(Scipion . .
74
828
734 n. 15
43
58
\Sibylh
32
174
275 n. ?
'>
0
' The I.omlon is described as a 90-gun ship, but C'hamock, Steel, aud the French authorities call her a 98.
Here she has been reckoned as a 98 with 10 carronades.
A court of inquiry into Captain Kempthorne's behaviour acquitted
him honourably.
Troude mentions the capture, during October, of the Molly, 18,
off Madeira, by the French corvette Setnillante, 18.
On December 6th, Bear-Admiral Sir Eichard Hughes (3) fell in
with a small French squadron off Barbados; and the Euby, 64,
Captain John Collins, succeeded in bringing the Solitaire, 64,
Captain Chevalier de Borda, to close action at about 1.30 P.M.1
After a stout fight, the French ship struck, as a second vessel of
the line was coming up to the help of the Euby.
1 Troude, 211 ; Beatson, v. 480.
1782-83.]
CAPTURE OF THE SOUTH CAROLINA.
91
— .
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside. Men.
Killed. Wounded. , Total.
Ruby . . .
1,369
72
LlM.
648 491 n.
2
2
Solitaire .
1,521
64
510 581) n.
over 20 35
55
At the same time, the French 18-gun sloop A mphitrite was
captured.1 The Solitaire was purchased for the Navy, and kept
her old name.
On December 12th, Captain the Hon. John Luttrell, in the
Mediator, 44, sighted five French and American vessels, mostly
storeships or vessels armed en flute, and bound for the West Indies.
They shortened sail and waited for him, on which he bore down,
captured the Alexandre, mounting twenty-four 9-prs. ; then, resuming
the chase, got possession of two more large ships, the Euge-ne and
Menagere, without the loss of a man in the Mediator. The
Alexandre' s captain, when a prisoner in the Mediator, attempted
to foment a mutiny, for which he was placed in irons.
On December 20th, a British squadron, consisting of the
Diomede, 44, Captain Thomas Lenox Frederick, Quebec, 32, and
Astrcea, 32, off the Delaware, fell in with the South Carolinan frigate
South Carolina."2 After an eighteen hours' chase, the Diomede,
seconded by the Quebec, closed the American, which fought for two
hours, and then, as the Astrcea was coming up fast, struck. The
South Carolina carried an extraordinarily heavy battery for a
frigate — twenty-eight 32-prs., and twelve 12-prs.
—
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed. Wounded. Total.
{Diomede .
891
54
Lbs.
438
297 n. ? ?
?
Quebec
699
40
246
1 1
217 n. ? ? ?
South Carolina
40
520
450 ? ?
6
On January 2nd, 1783, the British ships Emlymion, 44, and
Magicienne, 36, Captain Thomas Graves (3), chased a French
convoy, in charge of the SibijUe, 32, Captain Kergariou Locmaria,
1 Possibly a privateer, as another Ampltitritr appears in the French navy a few
weeks later.
2 Beatson, 551. He gives the South Carolina, 42-prs., not 32-prs. She was 160 ft.
long. Logs of Diomede and Quebec.
92
MINOR OPE11ATJONS, 1763-1792.
[1783.
and Railleur, 14, off San Domingo.1 The Magicienne quickly out-
stripped her consort and overhauled the two French ships. She
gave the Railleur two broadsides, and then closed with the Sibylle,
at about 2 P.M. Almost at once she lost her foremast. The two
frigates lay so close together that their sides touched, and the men
fought from their ports with pikes and rammers. At 2.30 the
Magicienne 's remaining masts followed her foremast, and she was
left helpless. At about the same time Captain Kergariou was
wounded. The Sibylle drew ahead and made off, as the Endymion
was fast coming up. She succeeded in escaping. The Railleur
got away for the time, but was taken on January llth by the
Cyclops, 28, on the American coast. The armament of the Sibylle
is disputed. British authorities describe her as a 36-gun ship,2
French, as a 32. Accepting the French version her defence was
exceedingly creditable.
—
Tons. Guns.
Bnadsi.le.
Men.
; Killed.
AVuumletl.
Total.
Sibylle . .
.. : 32
Lbs.
174
275 n.
13
38
51
Magicienne .
.. , 44
258
270 n.
18
31
49
Time, 90 minutes.
On January 19th, in the West Indies, the Leander, 50, Captain
John Willett Payne, with a convoy in charge, fell in with a
hostile 74-gun ship.3 In spite of the weakness of his command,
with a temerity that merits the epithet of glorious, Captain Payne
pursued his enemy and closed with her early in the morning of
the 19th. A desperate action of two hours' duration followed, in
which the Leander was, as might be expected, reduced to a wreck,
her rigging in particular being terribly cut up. Her crew, how-
ever, repulsed all attempts to board. The Leander was three
times set on fire by burning wads from the stranger, but each time
the fires were extinguished. Finally the two separated, and at
1 Troude, ii. 257; Beatson, v. 531.
2 Admiral Digby's letter describes her as a 36-gun ship, with 350 men. The
jy«ssaj''s log makes her a 38.
3 Beatson, v. 482 ; Log of Leander. Xo notice in French authorities. James, ii.
268, calls the French ship the Pluton, Capt. de Kions, a 74, and gives the French loss as
five killed and eleven wounded. He states that the Plutun was partially disabled. My
own belief is that the hostile ship of the line was, as asserted in the Leunder's log,
.". Spaniard. Beatson gives no authority for his statement that she was the Couronne.
French gunnery was capable of indicting much more damage.
1783.]
THE HUSSAR AND SIBYLLE.
daybreak neither could discover the other. Beatson calls the
stranger the Couronne.
— .
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed.
AVou ruled.
Total.
Lcander .
1,044
80 '
Lbs.
534
350 7
12 2
19
Stranger .
?
80?
900?
940 ? ?
9
?
Time, 2 hours 20 minuter.
' Carroiiades included. The Stranger's broadside is tabulated as that of an IS-pr. ship. In the Leander's
log the enemy is said to have been a Spanish 11.
2 Several mortally.
Most of the Leander's wounded died of their injuries.
On January 6th, as soon as the Sibylle had completed her repairs
after her action with the Magicienne, she was caught by a storm
and totally dismantled.1 Jury masts had been rigged, and she was
beating up the American coast, when, on January 22nd, the British
frigate Hussar, 28, Captain Thomas Macnamara Russell, sighted her
off the Chesapeake. Twelve of the Sibylle' s guns had been thrown
overboard, so that she was in no situation to resist her antagonist.
She tried to escape by hoisting British over French colours, and
also, it is alleged, by a misuse of the signals of distress. The Hussar
closed her, supposing her disabled, when suddenly the Sibylle fired
a broadside at the British frigate, and ran on board her. Before
the French could board, however, the Hussar drew clear and opened
fire. After an hour's action the Sibylle tried to make off, but was
hotly pursued and again brought to action. Her magazine was
flooded by shot-wounds below the water-line, so that further re-
sistance became impossible, and she was forced to strike. Owing
to Captain Kergariou's very questionable behaviour, Captain Eussell
broke his sword and placed him in close confinement. The British
ships Centurion, 50, and Harrier, 18, were close at hand when the
Sibylle surrendered ; and the Centurion actually gave her a broad-
side. Twelve guns were thrown overboard during the chase, so
that when she struck she had only eight pieces left.
Tons. Gnns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed. Wounded.
Total.
Hussar
566
34
Lbs.
Ifi8
200 n. ? ?
?
Sibylle . .
••
20
V
200? ? ?
?
Troude, 238 ; Beatson, v. 553, vi. 349 ; Gazette de Paris, 177 ; Log of Hussar.
MINOR OPERATIONS, 17G3-1792.
[1783.
On January 30th, the Dutch 50-gun East Indiaman Vrljheid was
captured under the guns of Cuddalore, on the Indian coast, by the
boats of the Medea, 28, Captain Erasmus Gower.1 The Vrijheid
was unfortunately wrecked soon after her capture.
On February 16th, the Argo, 44, Captain John Butchart, was
unfortunate enough to be discovered and chased by the French
frigates Nymphe, 36, Captain Vicointe de Mortemart, and Amphi-
trite, 32, Captain de St. Ours, whilst attempting to replace a sprung
main topmast.2 At 10.30 A.M. the Amphitrite opened the action,
and, a little later, gained a position on the Argo's starboard quarter.
The Argo's lower deck ports could not be opened, owing to the sea
that was running and to their small height above the water-line ; and
she was hard pressed. The Amphitrite next gained a position on
her larboard quarter, and a steady fight continued until 5 P.M.,
when the Nymphe came up and the Argo struck. Her main top-
mast— a new one, it would appear — had been shot away, her rigging
much cut up, and she had been badly hulled between wind and
water. On February 19th, she was chased and recaptured by the
Invincible, 74, Captain Charles Saxton, the Amphitrite and Nymphe
effecting their escape. In the British accounts the Concorde, 40, is
substituted for the Amphitrite.
Tons.
Guns,
Broadside.
Jlen.
| i
Killed. Wounded. Total.
I Amphitrite .
32
Lbs.
174
255 n
0
0 0
(Nymphe . .
36
186?
301 n
1
Argo . . . 879
54
405
297 n
13
? I 13?
On February 15th, the French frigate Concorde, 32,3 Captain de
Clesmeur, whilst in company with the Triton, 64, and Amphion,
50, was chased by a British squadron in the West Indies. The
other two escaped, but the Concorde was overhauled and captured
by the St. Allans, 64, Captain Charles Inglis (1).
On March 2nd, the Eesistance, 44, Captain James King, and
Duguay Trouin, 14, Captain John Fish, overtook and captured the
1 Beatson, v. 60G.
2 Troude, ii. 240 ; Beatson, v. 483. The Log of the Aryo was split to pieces by a
shot, but a copy remains. C. M. missing.
s Troude, 242 ; Schomberg, ii. 136 ; Log of St. Allans gives her 44 guns and
399 men.
1783.] CAPTURE OF THE NAIADE. 95
French frigate Coquette, 28,1 Captain the Marquis de Grasse-
Brian^on.2 Learning from his prisoners that the French had seized
and occupied Turk's Island, Captain King informed Captain Horatio
Nelson of the Albeniarle, 28. Eeinforced by the Drake, 14, the ships
landed one hundred and sixty-seven men on the island under Com-
mander Charles Dixon of the Drake, but the attack was repulsed,
and the ships lost eight wounded.
On April 14th, the French corvette Naiade, 20, Captain de Villaret-
Joyeuse, was chased in the East Indies by the British 64-gun ship
Sceptre, Captain Samuel Graves (2), and captured after two hours'
desperate resistance.3 She lost two topmasts, her wheel shot away,
and seven guns dismounted. According to Villaret-Joyeuse's report,
the Sceptre had her mainmast damaged, her main topmast shot
away, and twenty-four officers and men killed or wounded, whereas
the Naiade lost not a man. The Sceptre's log, however, shows that
only the mizenmast was wounded. This was a most honourable
and creditable defence on the part of the French.
There is great difficulty in obtaining accurate and detailed
information of many of the minor actions in the period of the
American War. The Captains' letters, giving the official version,
were usually published in the Gazette, and were thence transcribed
almost literally by the writers Beatson and Schomberg. But these
letters are often curiously unreliable, and almost invariably ex-
aggerate the enemy's force. Both in letters and in ships' logs the
number of men killed and wounded is, for the most part, omitted.
We hear in the log if a topmast is wounded, or if a cask of pork is
opened, but the loss of human life makes little or no impression.4
Again, logs and letters frequently contradict one another, and it is a
nice question which to believe. Courts-martial only took place
when the British ship was beaten and surrendered, or when some
officer behaved badly ; but the full evidence recorded in them gives
a most valuable and interesting picture. The French authority,
Troude, is not, on the whole, much more trustworthy than Schom-
1 Twenty-three mounted.
2 Schomberg, ii. 137 ; Nicolas, ' Nelson Dispatches,' i. 73 ; Beatson, v. 534.
3 Chevalier, 459 ; Beatson, v. 608 ; Hughes's letter describes the Naiade as of
30 guns and 160 men ; Log of Sceptre.
4 " I do not think that log-books, which are kept in the manner in which ships'
log-books are, ought to be implicitly taken as evidence," said Capt. Alex. A. Hood at
the C. M. on Keppel in 1779.
96 MJNOR OPEHAT10NS, 1763-1792. [1763-83.
berg. He often misdates actions by days or weeks ; he always
exaggerates the force of the French ship, and depreciates that of
the British ship ; and it is difficult to suppose that he drew upon
original French sources of information. Chevalier scarcely touches
minor actions. The French Gazette gives the French captains'
letters, and is usually as trustworthy as the London Gazette.
The armament of ships is a very puzzling subject during both
this and the next war. The trouble is caused by the carronade,
which appears, at first permissorily, in a few British ships in 1779,
and quickly spreads. But it is always uncertain whether a par-
ticular British ship did or did not carry carronades. Many Captains
had a great prejudice against them j1 others wanted, and obtained,
more than they were properly allowed. In regard to foreign ships,
there is even more uncertainty. It appears, however, from a casual
mention or two, that towards the close of the war, French ships
may occasionally have carried caronnades. For example, if we
can believe evidence given at the court-martial on Commander John
Frodsham,2 the French Fee, 32, carried four 18-pr. carronades in
1782. Still, we captured no prize that included carronades in her
armament.3
A fact which does seem to emerge from the ship actions of this
period is the extreme importance of weight of metal. Otherwise,
why should each side endeavour to diminish its own weight of
broadside, and exaggerate . that of the enemy ? In this war, the
quality of both French officers and seamen was excellent. There
was little to choose between them and our men for valour and skill ;
and if their operations on a grand scale so often miscarried, it was
the faulty strategy imposed by the French Government that was in
the main to blame. Instructed to avoid fighting, their action was
timid. Even in ship to ship encounters we find this fatal plan of
campaign exercising its paralysing effect. Discipline in the French
fleet had not as yet been subjected to the rude shocks of the Eevolu-
tion. There were no such actions as we find in the next war, when
British frigates repeatedly captured enemies of equal force, suffering
1 Thus the Endymion's Captain wants to get rid of his forecastle 18-prs. Capt
Tovey (Ordnance Board Letters, 1778-1783, MS., Record Office) reports against
carronades ; the wads blow back and set the ship on fire ; the guns jump about and
break the breeching.
2 C. M., 59, Aug. 7th.
3 Except, of course, vessels that had been British, such as the Licornt. There
to be no positively trustworthy evidence that any foreign warships had
carronades until after 1783.— W. L. C.
1763-83.] IMPORTANCE OF WEIGHT OF METAL. 97
little or no loss themselves, but inflicting terrific slaughter. Hence,
with men equal in quality on both sides, and with, as was usually the
case, the better built ship on the French side, weight of metal won
with a singular constancy in the actions between British and French
ships. In fifteen cases, superior broadside gave a British ship the
victory — omitting many instances where there was a great ad-
vantage on our side. I have not yet been able to discover a case
of a French warship striking to a British ship of inferior broadside.1
There may be error in the figures given in the text in one of two
directions : (1), overstatement of the British ships' force through
wrong inclusion of carronades ; (2), understatement of French ships'
force through usually accepting the French version. Still, I am
disposed to think my figures the most accurate that can now be
obtained, and in general correct.
Taking eight typical instances of British ships captured or
destroyed by the French, in four cases (Sphinx,2' Unicorn, Rover,
and Jack), the French force was so very superior that we can feel
no surprise at the result. The other four cases are of larger and
more important ships — the Minerva, Fox, Quebec, and Argo. The
Minerva's and Quebec's loss was due, in part, to accident. In the
first there was an explosion of powder, in circumstances that remind
us of that in the Serapis in her action with the Bonhomme Richard :
the second was so unlucky as to catch fire. In each instance, the
British ship was the weaker in broadside — the Minerva slightly
(allowing for the extra weight of the French pound, which was one-
twelfth heavier than the English), the Quebec very much so. The
Minerva also was weakly manned, and was taken by surprise. The
Fox was much inferior in weight of metal to the Junon, which beat
her. The Argo was superior in broadside to the pair of French
frigates that attacked her ; but she was one of our wretched class of
44-gun ships with lower-deck ports only a few inches above the
water, and was, owing to the swell, unable to open those ports, or to
use her heavy guns. Her case, however, is all in favour of a heavy
broadside perfectly mounted.
In actions with United States' ships, we lost seven ships and
took six under conditions that illustrate the value of broadside.
Two American vessels, the Lexington and the Trumbull, were
1 The Lion, taken in 1778 by the Maidstone, a British ship of inferior broadside, was
a, privateer ; and so of many other cases, which are apparent exceptions.
2 See index for references to these actions.
VOL. IV. H
98 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1763-83.
captured by British ships of inferior force. The Lexington was
surprised : the Trumbull is said to have been miserably manned.
On the other hand, the British brigs Trepassey and Atalanta were
captured by an American frigate whose force was just equal to theirs
combined ; and the General Monk was taken by a Yankee privateer
of equal force. The Trepassey and Atalanta, however, were two
weak ships against one strong one. The General Monk was armed
almost entirely with carronades, and was attacked at ranges where
these weapons were inefficient : moreover, the carronades were badly
mounted. There remains the case of the Serapis, which was taken
by Paul Jones in a ship nominally her superior in force, but actually,
through the defective artillery carried, her inferior. Jones, how-
ever, was such an exceptionally able and skilful captain that, pitted
against a commonplace, if brave, man, his victory was almost certain.
The case illustrates the value of leadership, but it does not destroy
the argument for a heavy broadside. Moreover, accidents played a
certain part. A gun burst in the American, but there was also a serious
explosion of powder in the Serapis with the most disastrous results.
A feature of these minor actions is that such an explosion usually
decides the fate of the day against the ship in which it occurs. This
is natural when the shock to the confidence of the crew caused by
such an incident is remembered. In the battle of Santiago (1898)
the bad shooting of the Spaniards was probably due in part to the
accidents which occurred when firing-pins were blown out of the
gun-breeches.
In actions with Spanish ships, we took six and lost not one ship.
But all through this century the Spanish navy was almost worthless
as a fighting force. "A Spanish ship chased is a Spanish ship
captured," was a French proverb of the time. The Spanish ships
were wretchedly manned and officered. Of the six ships we took,
two were of superior force to their captors, but in each case there
were other British ships close at hand.
There were two actions with Dutch ships, both at the same time
and place. The result is very instructive. The heavier broadside
won in each case — a British ship winning one action and losing
the other.
A few instances may next be examined where a very inferior ship
fought a very superior one. In these cases it will generally be found
that, unless the superior ship is crippled in some way, by loss of
her rudder or masts, she inflicts very heavy punishment on her
3763-83.] ANOMALOUS ACTIONS. 99
antagonist ; though there are some very striking exceptions. Thus
the British Nonsuch, 64, in an action with the French Actif, 74,
loses 90 men to the enemy's 53, though she is not taken. The
British Flora meets the French Nymphe, of half her weight of
metal, and takes her, inflicting a loss of 136 to her own 26 incurred.
The French Capricieuse, in action with two ships of more than
twice her weight of broadside, loses 100 men against the loss of 58
which she inflicts. The Belle Poule and Magicienne, French 32's,
meet, the first, a 64, suffering a loss of 68, and inflicting a loss of 13 ;
the second, a 50, suffering a loss of 86, and inflicting a loss of only 2.
Both were taken. Their fate shows the very great risk which is
incurred by a ship if she assails a vessel of superior class. The
Leander, a British 50, engaged a Spanish 74, and though her loss
was not heavy, she was reduced to a wreck.
On the other hand, there are four or five instances where the
weaker ship inflicts disproportionate loss on the stronger. The
French Belle Poule, of 168 Ibs. broadside, loses 102 men against the
44 men of the British Arethusa, of 114 Ibs. No explanation can be
given, except that the British gunnery was better, and that the
French fired to dismast. The British Isis, of 414 Ibs. broadside, is
said to have inflicted on the French Char, of 828 Ibs., a loss of 50
men, as against her own loss of 16. Special circumstances, such as
the clearing for action of the Frenchman on only one side, may
account for this. Then there is the case of the French Scipion, of
828 Ibs. broadside, engaged with the London, of 1018 Ibs., or perhaps
even more. The Scipion loses 58, and the London 83 men. Each
ship had some assistance — the Scipion from a 32-gun frigate, and
the London from a 74. Possibly the French 74, Scipion, was a
stronger and stouter ship than the British 90, London.
Superior nautical qualities and size in ships, strangely enough,
seem to go for very little in action. Again and again, short,
small, heavily-armed British ships capture longer, larger, but less
heavily-armed enemies. The Spaniards seem to have been the
worst offenders in undergunning their ships. Thus the Grana,
of 528 tons, carries thirty 6- and 4-pounders. Her captor, the
Cerberus, of 593 tons, carries twenty-eight 9-pounders. So, again,
the Sta. Catalina, though far larger than her captor, has an
armament inferior by 25 per cent.
Actions with privateers were very numerous, but have, for the
most part, been omitted. The want of discipline in those craft
H 2
100 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1763-83.
rendered them usually an easy prey to far smaller men-of-war.
There were exceptions, however, when privateers e*^ *»*
en-of-war. For instance, the Egmont, Savage, and General Monk,
all three small vessels, were taken by American privateers,
first the powder was wet; in the second the British crew was too
small, and the ship too weak to stand up against her opponent.
The loss of the General Monk has already been explained.
French, Dutch and American privateers swarmed m Bntish seas.
In May 1777 there were five American privateers lying off Wate
ford waiting for the Newfoundland fleet. In the same year, two
privateers anchored in Solway Firth; off Kintyre there were two
more, and others cruised between Jersey and Guernsey. Fall, the
Pirate," one of the most notorious, was chased, unsuccessfully, by
Nelson in 1781.1 He had harried the coast of Scotland. The
letters of Captain the Hon. Charles Napier (1) show the Firth of
Forth to have been much troubled by such freebooters.2
Jackal, which had been carried off by her crew from Sheerness,
under one Luke Eyan, an Irish outlaw, was particularly active. As
the Navy, owing to the immense burdens which were imposed upon
it, was unable to afford adequate protection against the inroads of
these gentry, shipowners generally armed their ships ; and several
privateers discovered that an armed merchantman was quite capable
of giving very nasty knocks. In the course of the war, Dublin,
Penzance, Banff, Whitehaven, Aberbrothick, Leith, and Newcastle,
were either actually attacked, or threatened by American privateers.
There were practically no fixed defences at those places ; but there
usually were Navy tenders at Dublin and Leith on the impress
service. Liverpool, however, had " two grand batteries of twenty-
seven 18-pdrs."
Three actions illustrate the danger of sending ships to sea with
raw crews when there is a chance of their falling in with the enemy.
The cases are those of the Ardent, captured by the French, of the
Isis, badly fought in an action with a Dutch ship, and of the
Pegase, captured with ridiculous ease by Jervis in the Foudroyant.
Two instances show a very un-British respect for neutrals, the
explanation being that the Navy was weak in this war, and unequal
to all its work. A hostile privateer, the Stanislas, runs aground in
1 Nicolas, i. 50.
s Captains' Letters, N. 1780, 1781, Record Office ; Cf. also G. Williams, ' Liverpool
Privateers,' p. 200 ff., where many curious and interesting details are given,
1763-83.]
NEUTRALS.
101
territorial waters off Ostend, and is not touched. A French frigate
and a convoy, in Algerine waters, are spared. As against this, a
Dutch convoy is fired upon on resistance being offered to an attempt
to search it.
If, generally speaking, the minor actions issued favourably to
England, it was because her ships were better armed, and because
she had a plentiful supply of officers and seamen. In quality, it
CAPT. EDWARD THOMPSON, B.N., AUTHOK OF <A SEAMAN'S LETTERS,' ETC.1
(From Ridleifs engraving after a miniature once in the possession of the Popham family.)
does not appear that her officers were better than those of the
French.
The events of the peace, which lasted from 1783 to 1793, do not
call for long description here.
1 Capt. Thompson died Commodore on the West Coast of Africa, in 1786.
102 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1787.
In the course of 1787, the interference of France in the affairs of
Holland almost precipitated a fresh war between England and her
old adversary. But as Frederick William II. of Prussia, whose
sister was the wife of the Dutch Stadtholder, the Prince of Orange,
supported the policy of Britain, France withdrew her assistance
from the rebels, or " patriots " as they called themselves in Holland,
and the crisis ended peacefully. Britain had given to Prussia an
undertaking to place forty ships of the line in commission, and had
commissioned in October a powerful squadron which included, with
the guardships at the naval ports, thirty sail of the line and eleven
frigates or 44-gun ships. As an answer to this, France equipped
sixteen sail of the line at Brest, and recalled an evolutionary
squadron from the coast of Portugal. On October 27th, however, a
joint declaration was signed in Paris by which England and France
agreed to disarm ; and towards the close of the year a great part of
the British squadron was paid off.1
On December 23rd, 1787, the Bounty, Lieutenant William Bligh,
left Spithead on a voyage to the South Seas,2 for the purpose of
collecting bread-fruit plants, which were to be introduced into the
West Indies. She was an armed transport of two hundred and
fifteen tons, with a crew of forty-four officers and men, and two
gardeners for the care of the plants. Her chief officers were, besides
Bligh, John Fryer, Master; William Elphinstone, Master's Mate;
Fletcher Christian, Lieutenant (actg.) ; and John Hallett, Thomas
Hayward. Eobert Tinkler, Peter Heywood, Edward Young, George
Stewart, Midshipmen. Unfortunately the offices of Captain and
Purser were combined in Bligh's person. He himself was a harsh
and tyrannical officer, as his subsequent behaviour when governor
of New South Wales proved.3 From the very outset he behaved
with great violence and brutality to his crew. The provisions issued
were light in weight and defective in quality. At Tenerife he
accused his men of stealing cheese, and stopped the rations of both
officers and men till the deficiency was made good. When the
crew remonstrated mildly he told them, "You damned infernal
scoundrels, I'll make you eat grass or anything you can catch before
I've done with you." On further complaints he threatened to flog
1 Ann. Reg. 1787, 192 ff.]; Malmesbury, 'Memoirs'; Stanhope, 'Pitt,' i. 344.
2 Bligh, 'Narrative of the Mutiny on board H.M.S Bounty'; Marshall, 'Naval
Biography,' ii. 747, Supplement, i. 98 ; ' Courts-Martial,' vol. 70.
3 He was deposed and deported for " harsh and despotic conduct " in that capacitv,
in 1806.
1788.] MUTINY IN THE BOUNTY. 103
the first man who said a word. What with hard duty in the in-
temperate weather of the Southern Atlantic, confinement in a small
ship usually battened down, and bad food, many of the crew fell ill.
But the service was performed with alacrity, and all went well
between the Cape and Tasmania, where the Bounty anchored in
Adventure Bay on August 20th, 1788. There Bligh confined his
Carpenter, William Purcell. Leaving Adventure Bay the Bounty
anchored in Matavie Bay, Tahiti, on October 26th. Bligh's conduct
now became more arbitrary than ever.1 We read that —
" Lieutenant Bligh seized on all hogs that came to the ship, whether large or small,
dead or alive, claiming them as his property, and serving them out as the ship's
allowance in the proportion of one pound per diem. He also seized on those belonging
to the Master, and slaughtered them for the use of the crew, although he had more
than 40 of his own on board . . . When the Master remonstrated with him on the
subject, he replied that he would convince him that everything became his as soon as
it was brought on board ; that he would take nine-tenths of any man's property." 2
On various pretexts the crew's allowance of spirits was curtailed ;
Christian was bullied and abused ; and a Midshipman who was on
watch when three seamen deserted was put in irons and kept there
for the greater part of three months, because he had slept on watch.
To the natives Bligh behaved with most undiplomatic severity. On
April 26th, 1789, the Bounty weighed for her homeward voyage.
Next day Bligh pretended to miss some cocoanuts, and accused
Christian of stealing them, abusing him in the presence of the other
officers, and calling him a " damned hound," and them " scoundrels,"
"thieves," and "rascals." On the night of the 28th, Christian,
exasperated, determined to leave the ship and swim ashore, but
suddenly conceived the idea of seizing the vessel. He took into his
confidence four seamen who had been flogged by Bligh, distributed
1 John Adams, the sole survivor of the mutineers who fled to Pitcairn Island,
spoke to Capt. Thomas Staines, in 1814, of Bligh's " harsh and severe treatment in
terms of strong feeling." Marshall, Suppl., i. 103. He was living in 1826.
3 From the diary of James Morrison, Boatswain's Mate in the Bounty. Marshall's
account of the mutiny (loc. cit.) is based on this and not on Bligh's own version, which
is a masterpiece of suppression and innuendo. The diary has never been published in
full. Morrison was a man of good character. He was not one of the mutineers ; and,
though he was sentenced to death, was immediately pardoned and promoted. He
served under Troubridge, as Gunner in the unhappy Blenheim, and was lost in her
in 1807. He is therefore a witness who can be trusted. Bligh had obvious reasons
for concealing the truth about his own brutalities and arbitrariness. He served
afterwards with credit at Copenhagen, where he won Lord Nelson's praise, and appears
to have been brave and capable as an officer. But he was a type of the worst kind of
naval officer, such as we find gibbeted in Marryat and Smollett, and appearing from
time to time in the records of the courts-martial, a man intoxicated with power.
104 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1788-89.
arms to them from the arms'-chest, at which he got by stratagem,
and then seized and secured Bligh, the Master, the Gunner (William
Peckover), and the botanist (David Nelson). Bligh offered little or
no resistance, and not one of his officers raised a hand ; which is not,
perhaps, to be wondered at in the circumstances. Other seamen
joined Christian's party, either willingly or by compulsion. Bligh
and eighteen officers and men were placed in the cutter. They were
given food, spirits, tools, a sextant and charts, and turned adrift.
The boat lay very low in the water, and this circumstance prevented
three or four of the officers and men who were loyal to Bligh from
going in her. There were left in the Bounty at the Friendly Islands,
Christian, three Midshipmen,1 and twenty-five other officers and men.
Enduring great hardships in his crowded boat, Bligh steered for
Timor. Being unarmed — for the only weapons in the boat were four
cutlasses — he did not venture to touch at any of the New Hebrides.
His party landed on islands near the Australian coast, where they
obtained quantities of oysters and much-needed rest after their
sufferings. Leaving these islands on June 2nd, 1789, they pro-
ceeded towards Timor, which they reached on June 14th. Through-
out this long and painful voyage in an open, undecked boat, Bligh's
conduct and management were admirable. He showed firmness and
character, and he succeeded in bringing his party to Timor without
the loss of a life. From Timor he went to Batavia, and so home.
On his return the Pandora, 24, Captain Edward Edwards,
was despatched in 1790 to search for and capture the mutineers.
Bligh seems to have made no distinction between the innocent and
the guilty, and naturally had suppressed all evidence of his own
bad conduct. Edwards, who was entrusted with the task of
avenging him, was, as subsequent events showed, a cruel and
merciless man.
When the boat left the Bounty, the ship was steering W.N.W.
She soon altered course and put into Tahiti, whence she pro-
ceeded to the small island of Toobouai, where a fort was built.
Christian maintained strict discipline and placed offenders in irons.
On September llth, 1789, the Bounty returned to Tahiti, where
sixteen of her crew wished to remain. Christian, with the other
eight, who, we may suppose, were the really guilty, dreading
vengeance, decided to retire to some unknown island. They
1 Heywood, Stewart and Young. Stewart was drowned in irons when the Pandora
was wrecked ; Young died at Tahiti.
1790-92.] THE VOYAGE OF THE PANDORA. 105
sailed, therefore, from Tahiti, and nothing more was heard of them
for many years.
Of the sixteen men left at Tahiti, two were murdered. On
March 23rd, 1791, the Pandora arrived at the island, and Mid-
shipmen Heywood and Stewart came off and gave themselves up.
The other twelve men surrendered or were captured. All were
confined as " piratical villains," with hoth legs in irons, in a small
box, eleven feet long, on the Pandora's deck. The only ventilation
was through two gratings nine inches square. " The heat of the
prison during calm weather was so intense that the perspiration ran
in streams from their bodies." Every torture that Edwards could
invent was applied. These men, most or all of them innocent of
mutiny, were confined in this diminutive space until they were
covered with filth. Their bedding was vermin-infested, and their
food wretched. On August 28th, 1791, the Pandora struck a reef
in Torres Strait and foundered. It will scarcely be believed that
Edwards refused, though entreated by Heywood, to release his
wretched prisoners. Fortunately for them there were more merciful
hearts in the crew. As the Pandora sank the Master-at-Arms
dropped the keys of the irons into the dreadful box. William
Moulter, a boatswain's mate, at the risk of his own life, opened
the small scuttle in the roof, which was the only means of entrance
or exit, and ten of the fourteen escaped, though all had their wrists
handcuffed. The other four were drowned. The survivors were
landed on a small island, where Edwards left them without clothing
or shelter under the scorching sun by day and the icy dew at night.1
Finally, they were sent to the Cape in Dutch vessels and fed, by
Edwards's orders, in this way : each man was to have 3 Ibs. of bad
meat, 1£ Ibs. of stock fish, 1J Ibs. of tamarinds and sugar, £ pint
each of ghee and rancid oil, and 1 pint of vinegar a fortnight,
with 2 drams of arrack and a scanty allowance of the very worst
rice a day.
On June 19th, 1792, the so-called mutineers reached England
and were tried by court-martial. Remembering the rigours of the
tribunals which punished offences against discipline, it is not
wonderful to learn that six of the ten survivors were found guilty,
though it is probable that not one was really guilty, and though
two of the men so condemned had taken up arms to rescue the ship
1 It need scarcely be said that Edwards's own account of his voyage says nothing of
all this quite unnecessary cruelty.
106 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792. [1789.
in Bligh's interest, whilst two more were mere boys when the
mutiny occurred. Bligh had promised to make a distinction
between the innocent and guilty, and had broken his promise.
He was absent from England on a second voyage during the
court-martial, but it is evident that he had condemned all alike
in his reports to the Admiralty. The six were sentenced to death,
and three were executed at Spithead, amongst them being two men
who were undoubtedly innocent. Midshipman Heywood and Boat-
swain's Mate Morrison were pardoned, and a third man was re-
spited. Heywood was employed in the subsequent war in Howe's
flagship, and great interest was taken in him by both Howe and
Hood. He served with marked distinction throughout the war.
It is strange that such men as Bligh and Edwards were in
no way censured or punished. Both died after having attained
flag-rank.
Nothing more was heard of Christian and the other mutineers
till 1813, when the Admiralty was informed by an American trader,
who had touched at the small and remote Pitcairn's Island in the
Southern Pacific, that he had found it, to his great surprise, in-
habited by survivors or descendants of the mutineers. On September
17th, 1814, Captain Thomas Staines, of the Briton, independently
discovered the island and its inhabitants. After this lapse of time,
John Adams, the sole survivor of the Bounty mutineers, was not
molested.1
On December 24th, 1789, whilst on a voyage from the Cape of
Good Hope to Australia, the Guardian, armed en flute, Lieutenant
Edward Eiou, being in want of water, approached an immense
iceberg, a little to the north-east of the (then unknown) Marion
Isles, to obtain blocks of ice. Boats were lowered and a quantity
of ice was collected ; but on the ship attempting to stand off from
the berg she was embayed by an indraught, and struck violently
upon a submerged hummock, damaging her stern and rudder. With
great difficulty she got off, after striking a second time abreast of the
main chains. It was then found that the water in her well was
rising fast. All hands manned the pumps, but at midnight of the
25th the water in the hold was 4 feet 6 inches ; at 6 A.M. of the 26th,
7 feet deep. A furious sea was running, and this further em-
barrassed the crew. There were many convicts on board, and to
1 The Pitcairn islanders have since been removed, at their own wish, to Norfolk
Island, in the South Pacific.
1789-91.] WRECK OF THE GUARDIAN. 107
keep order amongst them was by no means easy. Eiou gave
permission to his officers and crew to take to the boats, but for
himself announced his absolute determination to remain in the ship.
From this resolve he could not be moved by any entreaties. The
launch, the large cutter and the jolly-boat were got out, and a
certain number of officers and men jumped into them or swarn
to them when they put off, leaving Eiou and sixty-one souls in the
Guardian, as it seemed, to hopeless destruction. The jolly-boat,
however, had not gone far when she foundered. The launch was
picked up by a French merchantman on January 3rd, 1790, after
her crew had suffered terrible privations. The cutter appears to
have been lost.
Wonderful to relate, the Guardian did not founder. Her hold was
> ' ; asks which buoyed her up, and, on the other hand, the ballast
washed out through the gaps in her bottom and lightened her. She
drove before the wind and sea till, on February 21st, 1790, the coast
of Cape Colony was sighted. She was beached in Table Bay, and
all those who had remained on board her were saved. Eiou, whose
conduct rose to a height of courage above all praise, met an early
and glorious death eleven years later in the battle of Copenhagen.
His example will inspire men to heroic devotion and self-sacrifice so
long as the annals of our Navy are read and studied.
The years 1790 and 1791 were chiefly famous for the Spanish
and Eussian armaments.1 Spain had laid claim to Nootka Sound on
the west coast of Vancouver, and had despatched a force to eject the
British traders there established. Following the precedent of 1770,
the British Government at once demanded restitution, and com-
missioned a powerful fleet under Admiral Lord Howe (W.). It
included no fewer than twenty-nine ships of the line, with nine
frigates, two sloops, four cutters, and two nreships. Under Howe
were the flag-officers, Admiral the Hon. Samuel Barrington (B.),
Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Arthur Hood (W.), Bear-Admiral
William Hotham (1) (E.), Bear-Admiral Sir John Jervis (B.), and
Bear- Admiral Sir Eichard Bickerton (B.). This great fleet,
perhaps the most powerful ever assembled by England up to that
time, cruised at sea during August and September. In October, Bear-
Admiral Samuel Cornish (B.) was detached to the West Indies with
six ships of the line. On the 28th of the same month Spain came
to terms and agreed to surrender Nootka Sound and compensate the
1 Schomberg, ii. 217-219, iv. 428 ; Stanhope, ' Pitt,' ii. 49.
108
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1763-1792.
[1791.
dispossessed settlers and merchants. The specially commissioned
ships were then paid off.
In 1791, difficulties with Eussia, marking an important change
in British policy, but hardly falling within the scope of a history of
the British Navy, led to the commissioning of a squadron even more
powerful.1 This was composed of thirty-six ships of the line, one
50-gun ship, and nine frigates. The officers in command were Vice-
Admirals Lord Hood (B.), the most able and capable flag-officer then
serving in the Navy, and William Hotham (1) (B.), and Eear-
Admirals Sir Eichard King (1) (E.), Jonathan Faulknor (1) (E.),
Phillips Cosby (W.), the Hon. John Leveson Gower (W.), and
Samuel Granston Goodall (B.). In August the differences were
settled, whereupon most of the ships were put out of commission.
1 Stanhope, ' Pitt,' ii. 113 ff. ; Schomberg, iv. 437.
A THREE-DECKEB OF THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY.
( 109 )
APPENDIX TO CHAPTERS XXXI. AND XXXII.
NAVAL LOSSES OP THE BELLIGERENT POWERS, 1775-1783.
A. — VESSELS OF H.M. NAVY, OK EMPLOYED UNDER NAVAL OFFICERS, TAKEN,
DESTROYED, BURNT, FOUNDERED OR WRECKED, 1775-1783.
Year.
Date.
Name.
m
~
a
O
Commander.
* Lost his life.
Remarks.
1775
Pomona ....
18
Com. Thomas Eastwood.*
Foundered in the West Indies.
1775
Savage ....
8
., Hugh Bromedge.
Lost near Louisbourg.
1775
July 15.
Diligent, schooner
Lieut. John Knight (a).
Taken at IVlachias.
1776
ffotton, brig. . .
12
,, Edward Sneyd.
Taken by the Americans.
1776
June 29
Actceon ....
28
Capt. Christopher Atkins.
Abandoned and destroyed at Charleston.
1776
Aug.
Ferret ....
14
Com. James Rodney.*
Foundered in the West Indies.
1776
Dec.
Racehorse, schooner
12
Lieut. James Jones.
Taken by the Andrea Doriat 14.
1777
Repulse ....
32
Capt. Henry Davies.*
Foundered off Bermuda.
1777
Liverpool
28
„ Henry Bellew.
Wrecked off Long Island.
1777
(Earl of Bvte, armed i
I ship . . . .)
26
Com. Benjamin Hill.
Foundered in the Gulf of Florida.
1777
Pegasus ....
16
„ J— Hamilton Gore.*
Foundered off Newfoundland.
1777
Sprightly, cutter .
12
Lieut. Hills.*
Capsized off Guernsey.
1777
Cruiser ....
8
Com. Francis Parry (2).
Burnt off S. Carolina.
1777
1777
June 7
Vestal ....
fbx .
20
28
Capt. James Shirley.*
( , , Patrick Fothering- 1
Foundered off Newfoundland.
(Taken by the Hancock, 32, and Boston
I ham. /
{ 24. Retaken, 1777.
1777
Oct. 23
Merlin ....
18
Com. Samuel Reeve.
Abandoned and burnt at Mud Island.
1777
.. 23
Augusta
64
Capt. Francis Reynolds.
Accidentally burnt at Mud Island.
177?
Nov. 10
Syren ....
20
„ Tobias Furneaux.
Wrecked off Rhode Island.
1778
..
f Gra mpus, armed t
1 transp. . . ./
32
Com. John Frodsham.
Foundered off Newfoundland.
1778
Mermaid
28
Capt. James Hawker.
Driven ashore by d'Estaing's fleet.
1778
Mercury
24
„ James Montagu (1).
Wrecked near New York.
1778
Swallow
16
Com. C— Warre.*
f Foundered coming from the Cape of
L Good Hope.
1778
Swift ....
16
„ Joseph Tathwell.
Wrecked off Cape Henry, and burnt.
1778
Cupid ....
16
„ William Carlyon.
Foundered off Newfoundland.
1778
IHsjMtch.
14
., J — Botbam.*
Capsized in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
1778
York, tender
12
Lieut. Thomas Walbeoff.
Taken off the American coast.
1778
Spy . . • . .
12
/ f , Thomas Lenox i
\ Frederick. )
Wrecked off Newfoundland.
1778
ffinchinbroke, \
{ armed vessel . . ]
12
Taken by American privateers.
1778
1?
, Thomas Hicks.
Taken by the Sensible. Retaken, 1779.
1778
1(1
„ John Wright.
Wrecked off Florida.
1778
Enterprise, tender .
10
Taken by the Americans, and burnt.
1778
Apr. 24
Drake ....
14
Com. George Burdon.*
Taken by the Ranger, 18, near Belfast.
1778
June 24
JfoUcestone . .
8
Lieut. W— Smith (I).
(Taken by the French, off the French
I coast.
1778
July 9
Lively ....
22
Capt. Robert Biggs.
Taken by Iphige'nie, etc. Retaken.
1778
17
Alert, cutter . .
12
( Lieut. W illiam George \
[ Fairfax. )
Taken by the Junon.
1778
„ 30
Kingfisher .
16
Abandoned and burnt at Rhode Island.
1778
Aug.
Stanley ....
10
Taken by Cesar, 74.
1778
» 7
i7ww>
32
Capt. Hugh Dalrymple.
Abandoned and burnt at Rhode Island.
1778
7
Lark ....
32
„ Richard Smith.
Abandoned and burnt at Rhode Island.
1778
1
Orpheus ....
32
„ Charles Hudson.
Abandoned and burnt at Rhode Island.
1778
7
Flora ....
32
„ John Brisbane.
Sunk at Rhode Island.
1778
7
Cerberus. . . .
28
„ John Symons.
Abandoned and burnt at Rhode Island.
1778
7
Falcon ....
16
Com. Harry Harmood.
/Burnt at Rhode Island: weighed, and
i was lost.
1773
.1 14
Senegal,ex Racehorse
18
„ John Inglia (1).
fTaken by d'Estaing: retaken, 1780,
I and blown up.
1778
,. 17
Thunder, bomb.
8
„ James Gambler (2).
Taken by d'Estaing, in America.
110
APPENDIX.
Year.
Date.
Name.
0
Commander.
* Lost his life.
Remarks.
(Taken by the French in the West
1778
Aug. 22
Minerva . . •
32
Capt. John Stott.*
I Indies. Retaken, 1781.
1778
,, 23
Zephyr ....
14
Com. Thomas West.
(Taken by the French. Retaken, 1780,
t and burnt.
1778
Sept. 1
Active ....
28
(Capt. William Wil-1
[ liams. )
(Taken by the French in the West
I Indies.
1 779
10
Pbx
28
„ Hon.ThomasWindsor.
Taken by the Junon.
i 1 to
1778
1778
Oct.
Somerset. . . •
Zebra ....
70
16
„ George Ourry.
Com. Henry Colins.
Wrecked near Cape Cod.
Wrecked at Egg Island Harbour.
1778
Dec. 17
Ceres ....
18
( „ James Richard]
[ Dacres(l). )
Taken by the French. Retaken, 1782.
1779
.,
Supply, storeship .
20
• „ John Lockhart Na-1
smyth. J
Accidentally burnt at St. Kitts.
1779
. .
iTortoise, armed i
I transp. . . . /
32
„ Jahleel Brenton (1).
Foundered off Newfoundland,
1779
1779
••
North, armed ship .
Thorn ....
20
16
„ George Selby.*
„ William Wardlaw.
Wrecked off Nova Scotia.
(Taken by an American frigate. Re-
t taken.
1779
Tapageur, cutter .
14
(Lieut. Lord Charles Fitz-1
gerald. j
Wrecked to the W. Indies.
1779
14
„ Michael Hindman.
Taken by an American privateer.
1779
West Florida . .
14
„ John Willett Payne.
Taken at Pensacola by the Americans.
1779
12
,, Daniel Dobree.
Taken by d'Estaing at Grenada.
1779
{Leviathan, ex Nor-\
{ thumbertand. .}
50
(Capt. Robert Alexander]
Lambert. I
Foundered returning from Jamaica.
1779
Penelope. . . .
24
„ James Jones.*
Lost in the W. Indies.
1779
Jan'.' 13
Weazel ....
16
Com. Lewis Robertson.
Taken by Boadeuse in W. Indies.
1779
Mar. 19
Arethusa . . .
32
Capt. Charles Holmes]
t Everitt. 1
Wrecked off Ushaut.
1779
May 1
Montreal
32
„ Stair Douglas (1).
[Taken by two French vessels in
i. Mediterranean.
1779
7
Diligent ....
12
Lieut. Thomas Walbeoff.
Taken by the Providence.
1779
1779
June 19
July 14
Glasgow ....
Egmont, schooner .
24
10
Capt. Thomas Lloyd ( ).
Lieut. John Gardiner.
Accidentally burnt at Jamaica.
(Taken by Wild Cat, 14, off Uewfound-
t land.
1779
„ 16
Haarlem . . .
14
,, Josias Rogers.
Taken by American privateers.
1179
..
Holdernesse, cutter.
8
(Taken by the allied fleets in the
\ Channel.
1779
Aug.
Active, cutter .
12
Taken by the Mutine in the Channel.
1779
„
Ardent ....
64
Capt. Philip Boteler.
(Taken by the allied fleets. Retaken
I 1782.
1779
Sept.
Sphinx ....
20
' „ Robert Manners Sut-\
ton J
Taken by Amphitrite. Retaken.
1779
Rose ....
20
John Brown.
Sunk to block Savannah Bar.
1779
,,
Savannah, brig
14
Lieut. Richard Fisher.
Sunk at Savannah to block the Bar.
1779
10
Ariel . .
20
Capt. Thomas Mackenzie.
Taken by Amctzonc off Carolina.
1779
„ 23
Serapis ....
44
„ Richard Pearson.
Taken by Bonhomme Richard,
1779
„ 23
{Countess of Scar-)
( borough . . ./
20
Com. Thomas Piercy.
Taken by squadron of Paul Jones.
1779
„ 24
Experiment. . .
60
(Capt. Sir James Wallace,]
I Kt. i
Taken by d'Estaiug off Georgia.
1779
Oct. 6
Quebec ....
32
„ George Farmer.*
Blown up engaging Surveillante.
1779
Nov. 27
Jackal, cutter . .
14
Lieut. John Gibson.
(Carried to France by mutineers. Re-
{ taken in 1781.
1779
M
Hussar ....
28
Capt. Charles Maurice Pole.
Wrecked near Hell Gate, New York.
1780
True Briton, brig .
14
Lieut. Hon. Patrick Napier.
Taken by the French. Retaken.
1780
Active ....
14
„ William Quarme.
Taken by Americans, near New York.
1780
Feb. 18
Defiance ....
01
Capt. Maximilian Jacobs.
Wrecked on Savannah Bar.
1780
Oct. 11
Viper ....
16
: „ John Augustus, Lord]
i Hervey. /
Wrecked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
1780
Scorpion. . . .
16
Wrecked in N. America.
1780
••
Coureur, schooner .
16
Lieut. C— Major.
(Taken by the Americans off New-
i foundland.
1780
1780
Apr. 26
Cormorant . .
Fortune ....
16
18
Robert M'Evoy.
Com. Lewis Uobertson.
Taken by de Grasse off Charleston.
Taken by the French in the W. Indies.
1780
Sept. 4
Unicorn ....
20
fCapt. Thomas Lenox)
1 Frederick. }
f Taken by the French in the W. Indies.
I Ketaken as the Licorne, in 1781.
1780
Vigilant, armed ship
20
fCom. Thomas Goldes-]
I brough. j
Burnt at Beaufort, S. Carolina.
1780
Sept. 13
Rover ....
18
„ Henry Savage.
{Taken by the French in the W. Indies.
1 Ketakeu in 1781, but lost.
1780
Belkma, armed ship
18
„ Francis Tinsley.
Wrecked in the mouth of the Elbe.
1780
Oct.
Endeavour, brig
14
Lieut. Francis Wooldridge.
Lost in the hurricane, W . Indies.
1780
Nimble, cutter . .
12
„ W. Fumival.*
Wrecked in Mount's Bay.
1780
Oct. 4
Phcenix ....
44
Capt. Sir Hyde Parker (2).
Lost ill the hurricane, W". Indies.
1780
», 6
Victor, brig . . .
10
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies.
1780
Incendiary, firesbip
8
(Com. William Augustus)
I Merrick. j
Wrecked off the Isle of Wight.
1780
Oct. 5
Scarborough . .
20
(Capt. Samuel Hood)
t Walker.* j
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies.
LOSSES OF THE BRITISH NAVY, 1775-1783.
Ill
Year.
Date.
Name.
L Commander.
| * Lost his life.
Remarks.
1780 Oct. 5
Stirling Castle . .
64 Cant Robert Carkett*
Lost in the hurricane. W. Indies.
1730
.. 5
Barbados . . .
14
Com. Ralph Milbank.* Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies.
Commod. Hon. Robert]
1780
» 5
Thunderer . . .
74
BoyleWalsingham.*! j^ m ^ hn^c-no \f Indies
Capt. Robert Boylef
Nicholas.*
1780
..
Cornwall . . .
74
•r; *i, r i iSunk, being unserviceable, at St.
„ Timothy Edwards. ; T ,J.,ft
1780
Oct. 11
Laurel ....
28
„ Thomas Lloyd (1).*
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies.
1780
Shark ....
28
„ Howell Lloyd.*
Wrecked in North America.
1780
„ 11 ' Andromeda, . . .
28
„ Henry Bryne.*
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies.
1780
„ 11 : Deal Castle . . .
2!
,. James Hawkins.
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies.
1780
„ 11
Oamuuon . . .
14 Com. James Johnstone.*
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies
1780
.. 11
Blanche ....
32 Capt. Samuel Uppleby.*
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies
1780 „ 11
Beaver's Prize . .
16
Com. John Auriol Drum-)
mnnd *
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies.
1780 Dec.
Sartine ....
32 „ Robert Simonton.
Wrecked in the E. Indies.
1781
1781
Jan. 9
„ 23
fairy ....
Culladen. . . .
14 Com. Joseph Browne.
74 Capt. George lialfour.
Taken by the French. Retaken.
Wrecked off Long Island.
1781
••
Terrible ....
». f „ Hon. William)
I Clement Finch. /
Burnt in America as unserviceable.
17«1 Feb.
Romulus . . .
44 „ George Gayton.
Taken by the French.
1731
1781
May 8
Mentor ....
Molly, armed ship .
20 „ Robert Deans (1).
20 Com. William Long.*
Burnt at Pensacola,
Accidentally burnt.
1781
(Oermaine, armed |
I ship . . . J
,0 ( „ George Augustus)
' I Kennel.
Taken by the Americans.
1781
1781
1781
May' 8
Echo . .
18
18
18
„ John Manley (1).
Lient. H. Lawaon.
KeUy.
Wrecked in Plymouth Sound.
Sunk at Mahon to save from capture.
Taken by the Spaniards at Pensacola.
Minorca, xebec. .
Port Royal . . .
1781
••
St. Firmin . . .
16 ^Com. Jonathan Faulknorj Taken by the Spaniards off Gibraltar.
1781
May 28
Atalanta . . .
16
„ Sampson Edwards.
(Taken by the American Alliance.
{ Retaken.
1731
,. 23
Trepassey . . .
14
,, James Smyth.*
Taken by the American Alliance.
1781
Hope, cutter. . . 14
Lieut. L. Vickers.*
Taken by the French in America.
1781
Antigua. ... 14
, John Hutt.
Taken by the French in the W. Indies.
1781
Fly, armed cutter .
14 Com. Milham Ponsonby.
Taken by the French in America.
1781
• •
Bonetta ....
14
,, Ralph Dnndas.
/Taken by the French in the Chesa-
l peak*- . Retaken 3 . 1 . 82.
1781
June 13
Snake ....
12
Lieut. William Jackson.
Taken by American privateers.
1781
„ 20
Castor ....
36
Taken by Gloire and Friponne,
1781
„ 20
Crescent ....
23 1 „ John Bligh (1),)
Taken by Gloire and Priponne.
1781
1781
July 30
Loyalist. . . .
Rattlesnake. . .
14 Com. Morgan Langharne.
14 „ i'hilip d'Auvergne.
Taken by the French in the Chesapeake,
Lost in the E. Indies.
1781
Pigmy, cutter . . i 14
Lieut. Thomas Dyson.
( Driven ashore and taken at Dun-
{ querqne.
1781
. .
Rover .... 14
J. Duncan.
Wrecked in America.
1781
<Pi(>ra«ar,armedbrig 14 „ W. Anderson.
Taken by the Spaniards off Gibraltar.
1781
Tliunder, bomb , 8 Com. John Wallace.*
Foundered in the Channel.
1781
Aug. 1 Pelican . 24 Capt Cuthbert Collinewood.
Lost in a hurricane at Jamaica.
1731 , „ 24 'Sandwich, armed ship 20 Com. William Bett.
Taken by de Graese's fleet.
1781
„ 24
Cormorant . . .
14
,, Robert M'Evoy. Taken by de Grasse's fleet.
1781
Sept 6
Savage ....
16
.. Charles Stirling. PfiffiK £&£* ^^^^ **
1781
f f
Swallow ....
16
„ Thomas Wells (l). Wrecked off Long Island.
1731
Hope
16
„ William Thomas. Wrecked off Savannah.
1781
Shelanagig . . .
16
T if i t. cti. i ( Taken bv the French in the W.
Jitm&s K.eith Shepard. { ir A-
1781
1 Duchess of Cumber-)
(land ... .1
16
Lieut. Edward Marsh.
Wrecked off Newfoundland.
1781
..
Delight ....
,. /Com. Francis Thomas,
16 I Drake.*
Foundered going to N. America.
1781
Racettorse . . .
14 Lient. Georg: Brisac. Wrecked off Beachy Head.
1781
Pheasant, cutter .
14 „ George Matthews,* 1 {frartrfl in the Channel.
1781
Sept. 11
Iris
32 fiant. ftennn* Dftwsnn. ' Taken hv de Gra&w.
1781
.. 11
Richmond . . .
32
,, Charles Hudson. Taken by de Grasse.
1781
Oct. 10
fbwey ....
24
„ Peter Aplin. Sunk in the Chesapeake.
1731
•Sui'driWi.annedship 24
„ William Bett. Taken by the Americans off Charleston.
1781
Syren .... 24
„ Isaac ValUant. Wrecked on the coast of Sussex.
1781
Oct. 10
Guadeloupe. . .
2)
Hugh Robinson !Snnk m "» Chesapeake to save from
(. capture.
1781
Greyhound . . .
28
„ William Fox. ; Wrecked on South Sand Head.
1781
Oct. 10
Charon ....
44
™ o , ( (Burnt in the Chesapeake to save from
„ Thomas Symonos. cantnre
1781
Thetis ....
32
„ Robert Linzee.
Wrecked off St. Lucia.
1781
firebrand, fireship
8
Com. Richard Hill.
Accidentally burnt near Falmouth.
1781
Oct. 10
Vulcan, fireship .
a
., George Palmer.
Burnt in the Chesapeake.
1781
(Conjlagration, fire-)
1 ship ... .)
a
J. Duncan.
Lost in N. America.
112
APPENDIX.
Teu
Date.
N.1IIK .
|
Commander.
* Lost his life.
Remarks.
1782
1782
Jan. 21
Jlatiniltal . . .
Santa Monica , .
50
36
Capt Alexander Christie.
„ John Linzee.
Taken by the French off Sumatra.
Wrecked off Tortola.
1782
Blonde . . . .
32
,. Edward Thorubrougli
. Wrecked on Nantucket Shoals.
17(2
Jan. 25
Solebay . . . .
28
\ , . CbarlesHolmes
I Everitt.
| Wrecked and burnt at Nevis.
1782
Coventry . . .
28
„ William Wolseley.
(Taken by the French in the Bay of
I Bengal.
1782
Jlinchinbroke .
20
Foundered off Jamaica.
1782 Feb. Oronoque . . .
20
Com. William Tahonrdin.
Taken at capitulation of Demerara.
1782 „ Sylph ....
18
„ Lawrence Grwme.
Taken at capitulation of Demerara.
1782
Barbuda . . .
16
„ Francis Pender.
Taken at capitulation of Demerara.
1782 „
Stormont . . .
16
„ Christmas Paul.
Taken at capitulation of Demerara.
1782 „
Rodney, brig . .
16
{L'bSeJO'ln Donglas Bris-j Taken at the capitulation of Demerara.
17c2
.. 25
Chaser ....
18
Com. Thomas Parr. !{T B^f "* FrenCh '" """ ^ °f
1782
Apr. 8
General Monk . .
18
„ Joslas Rogers. j If,aif,. Aj; 1fi
1782 „ 11
Jacka I, armed ship
20
„ Gustavus Logic.
Taken by the Deane in the W. Indies.
1782
f Jfrildnnfo, armed)
1 Ship ... .j
id
„ M. Davis.*
Wrecked on the Kentish Knock.
1782
June 26
A lligator . . .
14
„ John Frodsham.
(Taken by the French at the mouth of
I the Channel.
1782
Repulse, cutter . .
14
Lieut. J. Atkinson.*
Wrecked off Yarmouth.
1782
Swan ....
14
Com. Lewis Robertson.
Capsized off Waterford.
Rear-Adm. Richard Kem-1
1782
Ang 29
Royal George .
00 !^ penfelt.* ~ ^
Capsized at Spithead.
(Capt. Martin Waghorn. |
iRear-Adm. Thomas Graves)
1782
Sept.
Ramillies . . .
74
{ 00- >
Burnt as unserviceable.
1782
„
Hector ....
74
(Capt. Sylverius Moriarty. |
„ John Bourcbier.
Sunk on the Banks of Newfoundland.
1782
,.
Glorieux . , .
74
f ,, Hou. Thomas)
[ Cadogan.* /
Foundered returning from Jamaica.
1782
,,
Centaur ....
74
(Capt. John Nicholson)
L Inglefleld. /
Foundered returning from Jamaica.
1782
17«2
1782
1782
'".. "
Vt7fe de Paris . .
Racoon, brig . .
Polecat, brig
Allegiance . ,
104
14
14
14
„ d'eorge AVilkinson.*
Lieut. Edmund Nagle.
„ Hou. Patrick Napier.
Com. David Phips.
Foundered returning from Jamaica.
Taken by Gloire and Aigle.
Taken by the French in N. America.
Taken by the Americans.
1782
Lively, brig. . .
14
Lieut. 11. Stanhope.
fCaptured by prisoners and taken to
I Havana.
1782
1782
Prince Edward, brig
{Resolution, armed)
transp. . . .j
14
14
„ Richard Simmonds.
,, R. F. Hassard.
Captured by her American prisoners.
Taken by the French in the E. Indies.
1782
1782
Rai kes, armed transp.
Flying Fish, cutter
14
14
„ Norris Thompson.
., Charles Craven.
Taken by the French in the E. Indies.
Wrecked near Calais.
1782
Placentia, brig. .
14
„ Charles Anderson.*
Wrecked off Newfoundland.
1782
(Cornwallis, armed)
I ship . . . .]
14
„ R. T. Appleby.*
Foundered in the Atlantic.
1783
Feb. 16
Argo
44
Capt. John Butchart.
(Taken by the Nymphe, 36, and Am^lt i-
trite, 32. Retaken, 19.2.83, by
Jnvincible, 74.
1783
Nov. 6
Superb ....
-1
Vice-Adm. Sir Edward]
Hughes. I
Capt. Henry Newcome. 1
Wrecked off Tellicherry, E. Indies.
Vice-Adm. Sir Hyde)
1783
Cato . . .
Parker (1), Kt*
Capt. James Clark.*
Lost going to the E. Indies.
1783
••
Pallas ....
36 ;
„ Christopher Parker)
(2). j
Run ashore on St. George's Isle.
1783
Cerberus. . . .
32
„ Sir Jacob Wheate, Bt.
Wrecked near Bermuda.
1783
Raven ....
16
Com. John Wells. .
Taken by two French frigates in W.
1783
Mentor ....
16
„ R. Tullidee.
Indies.
Wrecked near Bermuda.
1783
Tickler .
,4 / „ William O'Brien) i
Taken by a French frigate in W.
1 Drury. ) \ Indies.
LOSSES OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, 1777-1782.
113
B. — VESSELS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVY, AND OF THE REGULAR COLONIAL
MARINES TAKEN, DESTROYED, BURNT, FOUNDERED OR WRECKED DURIXO THE
WAR OF AMERICAN REVOLUTION.
Year.
Date.
Name.
a
Commander.
* IMSI his life.
Remarks.
077
Mar. 26
Cabot i .... 16
Joseph Oluey.
(Chased ashore, taken, and got off by
( Milford, 28, Capt. John Ford.
1777
May
Surprise. . . .10
Gustavus CoDyngham.
Seized by the French, as a pirate.
1777
July 8
Hancock^ ... 32
Jolm Manly.
(Taken by Raintow, 44, Capt. Sir
( George Collier.
1777
i» 8
Fox 28
(Retaken by Flora, 32, Capt. John
\ Brisbane.
1777
..
Andrei I)oria . . 14
( Burnt to save her from capture in the
( Delaware.
1777
Sept. 22
Lexington ... 16
H. Johnston.
(Taken by Alert, 10, Lieut. John
I Bazely(l), in Channel.
1777
., 27
Lelaware l . . . ' 24
Charles Alexander.
(Surrendered to British troops in the
( Delaware.
1777
Oct. 6
Congress. ... 28
i Destroyed to save her from capture in
1777
6
Afantyomery . . 24
\ the Hudson.
Destroyed in the Hirlsou.
1777
Nov. 21
Washington . .32
Destroyed in the Delaware.
1777
.. 21
EJfinr/ham ... 28
Destroyed in the Delaware.
1777
.1 21
Sachem . . . . j 10
Destroyed in the Delaware.
1777
1777
„ 21
,, 21
Independence . « • 10
Dolphin .... 10
Destroyed in the Delaware.
Destroyed in the Delaware.
1777
• i 21
Wasp .... i 8
Destroyed in the Delaware.
1777
,, 21
JUosqttito. ... 4
Destroyed in the Delaware.
1778
Mar. 7
Randolph ... 32
Nicholas Diddle.*
(Blew up in action with the Yarmouth,
I 64, Capt. Nicu. Vincent.
1778
9
Alfred . . . . J 24
Elisha Hiumau.
Takenby the^lria(7n«,24, and Ceres, 18.
1778
Reprisal. . . . 1 1«
Lambert Wickes.*
Foundered at sea.
1778
Mar. 30
Virginia 1 ... 28
James Nicholson.
(Grounded, and was taken in the Chesa-
{ peake.
1778
Sept. 28
Kaleiyhi ... 32
John Barry.
(Taken by Experiment, 50, and Uni-
\ corn, 20.
1779
Aug. 14
Warren. ... 32
Dudley Saltonstall.
(Burnt to save her from capture, in the
1 Penobscot.
1779
,, H
Hili'i/ciit . . . . I 14
Brown.
( Burnt to save her from capture, in the
( Penobscot.
1719
,, 14
Providence i . . 12
Hacker.
(Taken by Sir George Collier in the
1 Penobscot.
1779
., 14
fldzani (Massa.) . 16
(John Foster Williams)
\ (Mass.). )
( Burnt to save her from capture, in the
\ Penobscot.
1779
14
Tyrannicide (Massa.) )4
Cathcart (Mass.).
(Burnt to save her fivrn capture, in the
\ Penobscot.
1779
Sept. 24
ftonhomme Richard 40
John Paul Jones.
Sank after action with the Serapis, 44.
1780
May 12
Queen of France . 28
Rathhurue.
(Taken at Charleston, by Vice-Athu.
( Arbuthnot.
1780
., 12
I'rovidence . . . , 28
Abraham Whipple.
(Taken at Charleston, by Vice-Adm.
1 Arbuthuot.
1780
,, 12
Boston ' .... 24
Tucker.
(Taken at Charleston, by Vice-Adm.
\ Arbuthnot.
1780
„ 12
Ranger*. . . .18
Simpson.
(Taken at Charleston, by Vice-Adui.
1 Arbuthuot.
1780
Protector* (Massa.) 26
Taken by Roe'mck, 44, anil Medea, 28.
1780
May 12
Brittle (S. Car.) . 44
(Destroyed at Charleston, by Vice-Adiu.
\ Arbuthuot.
1780
» 12
(General Jfoultrie\ .„
I (S Car.) . . .) 20
j Destroyed at Charleston, by Vice-Adm.
I Arbuthuot.
1780
>. 12
Notre Dame (S. Car.)' 16
( Destroyed at Charleston, by Vice-Adm.
1 Arbuthnot.
1781
Stratof/a ... 16
John Young.
Supposed lost at sea.
1781
Apr. 14
Confederacy . . 3J
Seth Harding.
Taken by Orpheus, 32, and Roebuck, 44.
1781
Aug. 9
Trumbull ... 28
James Nicholson.
(Taken by the Iris, 32, and General
] Ximk, 18.
1782
Dec. 23
: South Carolina (S.I 4Q
Joyner (S. Car.).
(Taken by Komede, 44, Astraa, 32, and
1 (Quebec, 32.
' Added to the Royal Navy under same name. » Added to the Royal Navy as Charleston, 28.
2 Added to the Royal Navy as Iris. < Added to the Royal Navy as Halifax.
5 Added to the Royal Navy as Hussar, 28.
VOL. IV.
114
APPENDIX.
C.— VESSELS OF THE FRENCH NAVY, TAKEN, DESTROYED, OB BURNT BY H.M.
SllIPS, AND ALSO, 80 TAB AS CAN BE ASCERTAINED, SIMILAR VESSELS LOST OB
WRECKED DURING THE WAR, 1778-1783.
Year.
Kid'.
Name.
1
o
1778
14
1778
18
32
1778
•> 19
Pallas ' ....
32
1778
:;•*
1779
Jan 31
32
1779
May 13
0
1779
13
8
1779
20
1779
1779
May 13
Ifieppe, cutter . .
16
14
1779
May 13
26
1779
1779
June 2
22
Pnulente' ....
36
16
1779
1779
Aug.
Oct. 2
Cijmpat, flute . . .
Pilote 1
18
1779
2
1779
1779
20
„ 21
Alcmene ' ....
Blanche 1
26
32
1779
1779
Dec. 22
„ 22
Fort unee *
Elise
32
28
1780
Feb. 24
Protte *
64
1780
1780
June 26
July 1
Sam Pareil, cutter. .
1780
ii 5
18
1780
1780
i. 5
»» 5
Capricieuse ....
Perle
32
18
1780
1780
.. 12
Belle Pottle ' . . . .
32
36
1780
..
18
1780
Aug. 10
Nymphe 1
1780
1780
OU.
Intrepide
Palmier
74
74
1780
1780
Oct.
Afagnijique ....
74
40
1780
1781
Nov. 2
Jan. 4
Senegal, ex Racekone .
18 !
32
1781
1781
F.b.
«owr(cc- British) . .
Alerte ....
18
1781
Apr. 20
1781
July 26
1781
1781
1782
1782
1782
1782
Sept. 2
Oct. 26
Apr. 12
., 12
M 12
,. 12
Magicienne l . . . .
Necker,i armed ship
ViUe de Paris 1 . . .
Glorieux l . .
Hector* . . . .
Cesar ....
32
28
(H
7i
7t
74
1782
it 12
Ardent * . .
171(2
,. 19
Caton 1 ...
1782
1782
Apr. 19
17«2
.. 19
1782
,, 19
Ceres'
1782
,. 21
71
1782
Orient.
1782
Apr. 23
Actionnaire, flute (24) .
64
Remarks.
Taken by the Alert, cutter, 10, Lieut. Wm. Geo. Fairfax,
Channel.
Taken by the fleet under Lord Keppel, Channel.
(Taken by the fleet under Lord Keppel, Channel. Renamed
. Cimvert.
Taken by the squadron of Vice-Adm. Sir E. Vernon. E. Indies.
Taken by the ApMi, 32, Capt. Philemon Pownall, Channel.
Destroyed by the squadron of Sir James Wallace, Cancale Bay.
Destroyed by the squadron of Sir James Wallace, Cancale Bay.
Taken by the Proserpine, 28, Capt. George Alison Byron.
Destroyed bv the squadron of Sir James Wallace, Cancale Bay.
Taken by the Hattlesnake, cutter, 10, Lieut. William Knell.
Taken by the Experiment, 50, Capt. Sir Jas. Wallace.
Taken by the Ituliy, 64, Capt. Michael John Everitt.*
Taken by the Ambuscade, 32, Capt Hou. Charles Phipps.
Taken by the Htrreas, 28, Capt. (. harles Thompson (1).
Taken by the Jupiter, 50, and ctnsorts, Channel.
Taken by the Apollo, 32, and consorts, Channel.
Taken by the Proserpine, 32, Capt. George Ansou Byron.
Taken by the Jfnanificent, 74.
Taken by the Suffut/,; 74.
Taken by the Magnificent, 74, and Stirling Castle, 64.
fTaken by the squadron of Rear-Adm. Hon. Robt. Digby, Pay
\ of Biscay.
Taken in W. Indies by I'lurnix, 44, etc.
fTaken by the Jiomney, 50, Capt. Roddam Home, coast of
. Portugal.
Taken off Ushant by Nonsuch, 64, Capt. Sir Jam?s Wall ice.
Taken and burnt by the Pnidentc, 36, and Licorne. 32.
[Taken by the Jiomney, 50, Capt. Roddarn Home, coast of
t Portugal.
(Taken by the Nonsuch, 64, Capt. Sir Jas. Wallace, coast of
. France.
Driven ashore and des:royed by the Nonsuch, 64.
Taken by the Orune, 32, Capt. Fras. John Hartwell, W.
Indies.
Taken by the flora, 36, Capt, William Peere Williams, off
Ushant
Lost in the hurricai e, W. Indies.
Lost.
Lost.
Lost in the hurricane, W. Indies.
Taken by the Zephyr, 14, Com. John Inglis (1), coast of
Africa.
Ex Minerra. Taken by the Cauraceux, 74, Capt. Lord Mul-
grave. etc. Renamed hecovery.
Taken by a privateer, but lost at sea.
Taken by the Perseverance, 36, Capt. Skeffington Lutwidge,
N. America.
Taken by the Resource, 28, Capt. Bar. Samuel Rowley, W.
In lies.
Taken by the I'cricwrance, Capt. S. Lmwidpe, Channel.
Taken by the (.liatham, 50, Capt. And. Snape Douglas, N.
America.
Taken by the llannilial, 50, Cape of Good Hope.
Taken in Lord Rodney's victory.
Taken in Lord Rodney's victory.
Taken in Lord Rodney's victory.
Burnt after Lord Rodney's victory.
Taken in Lord Rodney's victory.
Taken by Lord Hood in the Mona Passage.
Wrecked near Triucomale.
Taken by Lord Hood in the Mona Passage.
Taken by Lord Hood in the Mona Passag '.
Taken by laid Hood in the Mona Passage.
(Taken by the Foudnyaut, 80, Capt. John Jervis, Pay of
', Biscay.
Wrecked near Trincomale.
(Taken by the Queen, 98, Capt. Hou. Fred. Lewis Maitland,
1 Bay of Biscay.
Added to H.M Navy.
LOSSES OF THE SPANISH NAVY, 1779-1782.
115
Year.
Date.
Name. Remarks.
1782
IMuphin, Siite(26) . . 16
4 Takeii by the Argnt 44, Capt. John Butchart, W. Indies.
1782
July 29
Amazone 1
„ /Taken, but abandoned, by Santa Maryarita, 36, Capt. Kiliot
b ( Salter, N. America.
1782
„ 30
Teme'raire .... 1
0 Takeii by the Cut morant, 16, Com. Johii Mdcomb^.
1782
Sept. 1
Aiyle, hired . . . . ] 2
0 /Taken by Ituc de tltartres, 18, Capt. John Child Purvis, off
a \ Cape Henry.
1782
Espitm, cutter ... 16 Taken by the Limrd, 28, Capt. Edmund Dod, off St. Kitts.
1782
1782
Sept. 4
,, 1*
//e&e'i 4
Aigle' 1 4
0 , Taken by the Hainbow, 44, Capt. Henry Trollope, Channel.
„ (Taken by squadron of Capt. Hun. Geo. Keith Elphiastoue, off
I the Delaware.
1782 Oct. 18 Scipion 74 Driven ashore by Limdon, 98, aiid Tori/ay, 74, Hispauiola.
1782 Dec. 6 Solitaire 64 Taken by the Kuby, 64, Capt. John Collins, Atlantic.
1782 „ 6 Amphitrite .... 1 1
8 Tak*n by Sir R. Hughes's squadron.
1782 „ 12 : Hmng'ere, flilte(34). . t>
4 Taken by Mediator, 44, Capt. Hou. John Luttrell.
17i<3 Jan. 11
Kailleur 1
4 , Taken by the Cyilops, 28, American coast.
17J3
i, 16
Ohass^ur . . . 2
0 Taken by the Medea, 2*, Capt. Erasmus Gower,
1783
,, 22
Sibylle 3
c /Taken by Hussar, 28, Capt. 'J hos. Maciiamara Russell,
6 I N. America.
1783
Feb. 15
Concorde ' .... 3
6 Taken by St. Albans, etc.
17H3
M«r •>.
Coquette , . 2
3 Taken by the Resistance, 44, Capt. James Kiug, off Turk's Island.
1783 Apr. 14
Naiade 2
0 Taken by the Sceptre, 64, Capt. Samuel Graves (2), East Indies.
i Added to H.M. Js'avy.
D. — VESSELS OF THE SPANISH NAVY, TAKES, DESTROYED, OB BUBNT BY II. M.
SHIPS, AND, SO FAB A3 CAN BE ASCEBTAINED, SlMILAB VESSELS LOST OK
WRECKED DURING THE WAR, 1779-1782.
Year.
Date
Same.
1
3
Remarks.
1779
Sept.
14
San ta Mmiica 1 . . .
2S
Taken by the I'etrl, 32, Capt. Geo. Montagu, off the Azores.
1779
Nov.
11
Sinta Margarita* .
28
Taken by the Tirtar, 28, Capt. Alex. Gra-m^off Lisbon.
1780
Jan.
16
J>tnix !
80
/Taken in Lord Rodney's victory off St. Vincent. Renamed
( Gibraltar.
1780
B
U
Jfonarca * . . .
70
Taken in Lord Rodney's victory off St. Vincent.
1780
M
16
Princesa 1 . . . .
70
Taken in Lord Rodney's victory off St. Viuceut.
1780
II
Mligente i
70
Taken hi Lord Rodney's victory off St. Vincent.
1780
M
16
San Domingo
70
Blown up in action with Lord Rodney's fleet.
1780
17
San Jitlia.no ....
70
Drove ashore after capture iu Lord Rodney's action.
1780
17
San Eugenia ....
70
Drove ashore after capture in Lord Rodney's action.
1781
F^'b.
M
Grana 1
30
Taken by the ( 'erbents, 32, Capt. Robert Man (3), Bay of Biscay.
1781
May
1
Santa L&xadia i
34
Taken by the Canada, 74, Capt. Sir Geo. Collier Bay of Biscay.
1782
Mar.
16
Santa Catalina .
34
/Taken and bunit by the Success, 32, Capt. Charles Jlorice
1 Pule, Bay of Biscay.
1782
M
16
Santa Catalina . .
22
Taken by the F..X. 32, Capt. Geo. Stoney, off Jamaica.
1782
Sept.
L |
Pastor
31
Burnt iu action at Gibraltar.
1782
14
Paula Prima .
31
Burnt iu action at (>ibr.iltar.
1782
14
Valla, Piedra . . .
31
Burnt in action at Gibraltar.
1782
ll
Rosario . .
29
Burnt iu action at Gibraltar.
1782
"..
San Miguel i . . . .
72
Driven ashore and takeu by garrison of Gibraltar.
1782
Sept.
11
San Cristobal . . .
18
Burnt in action at Gibraltar.
17.f2
H
ll
Principe Carfas.
15
Burnt in action at Gibraltar.
1782
ii
14
Paula Segunda . . ,
13
Burut in action at Gibraltar.
1782
11
8an Juo.il. ,
13
Burnt iu actiou at Gibraltar.
1782
"
14
Santi Ana ....
11
Burut iu action at Gibraltar.
1782
M
Dolores , .
10
Burnt in actiou at Gibraltar.
I Added to H.M. Navy.
I 2
116
APPENDIX.
K. — VESSELS OF THE DUTCH NAVY, TAKEN, DESTHOYED, OR BURNT BY H.M. SHIPS
DURING THE WAR, 1780-1782.
Year.
Date.
Name.
i
Remarks.
0
1780
Dec. 30
Prinses Carolina 1 . .
54
Taken by the Marllxn-ough, 74, Capt. T. Penny, etc., Channel.
1780
Uollandia ....
64
funk after the battle uf the Doggersbauk.
1781
Jan. 5
Rotterdam ' . . . .
50
r'J'akeu by the Warwick, 50, t'apt. lion. Geo. Keith Elphiu-
l stone, etc.
1781
F«-b. 4
Marti
60
(Taken by Lord Eoduey's fleet, W. Indies. Keuamexl Prince
; Eilumrd.
1781
Mars 1
38
1781
"..
St. Eustatia l . . .
28
Taken b,v Lord liodney's fleet) W. Indies.
1781
1781
May 30
Aug. 14
Castor
36
18
Taken by the Flora, 36, Capt. \V. P. Williams, offCeuta.
Blew up in action with Cantelevn, 14.
A dogger ....
1782
A brig. . . .
16 /'J'akeu by Defiance, armed ship, 18, Lieut. George Caclmau,
I N. Sea.
' Added to H.M. Navy.
CAPTAIN KICHOLAS BIDDI.E, U.S.N.
Blown up in the U.S.S. Randolph, March 7th, 1778. (See p. 10.)
(From an engraving by D. Edwin.)
CHAPTEE XXXIII.
VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792.
SIR CLEMENTS MARKHAM, K.C.B., F.E.S.
Byron to the Pacific — Wallis and Carteret to the Pacific — Cook's first and second
voyages — Phipps and Lutwidge to the Arctic — Abortive voyages to the Arctic —
Cook's third voyage and death — Wileon at the Pelew Islands — McC'luer at New
Guinea— Bligh's expedition — Voyages of Vancouver.
A FTER the voyage of Anson, the British Government fully recog-
nised that discovery and exploration formed an important part
of the duties of the Navy. In the instructions to Captain Byron,
the Lords Commissioner of the Admiralty declared that " nothing.
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OF COOK*S SECOND VOYAGE.
(From an original lent by H.S.H. Ctifjt. Prince Louis of Battenberg, R.N.~)
can redound more to the honour of this nation as a maritime power,
to the dignity of the Crown of Great Britain, and to the advance-
ment of the trade and navigation thereof, than to make discoveries
of countries hitherto unknown."
In accordance with these views, an expedition was fitted out for
the circumnavigation of the globe, consisting of a sixth rate, the
Dolphin, of 24 guns, with a complement of 150 men, and the
118 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1764-65.
Tamar, 14, Commander Patrick Mouat. It was placed in command
of Captain the Hon. John Byron, an officer then aged forty, who
had been shipwrecked in the Wager during Anson's expedition,
and whose narrative of hardships and sufferings on the coast of
Chile is so well known.
Byron's expedition sailed from the Downs on the 21st of
June, 1764. Before entering the Pacific Ocean, Byron had orders
to examine the land that had been reported between the Cape
of Good Hope and Magellan's Strait, and called Pepys Island.
He was also to visit the Falkland Islands, which had not hitherto
been sufficiently surveyed.
On leaving Eio de Janeiro on the 22nd of October, Captain
Byron turned the hands up, and announced for the first time that
they were on a voyage of discovery, and that they would receive
double pay if their conduct was satisfactory. They all expressed
great joy at the news, and declared that there was no danger or
difficulty that they would not cheerfully face, in the service of
their country. Byron encountered a furious "pampero" off the
Patagonian coast, and, after resting his people at Port Desire,
he commenced his search for Pepys Island on the 5th of December.
This land was reported to be in 47° S., and is shown in that
parallel on Halley's chart ; but the only person who pretended to
have seen it was Cowley, and, in his narrative, he gave no longitude.
The two ships of Byron's squadron spread, and, as the weather was
clear, they could see, between them, over about twenty leagues.
Having convinced himself that there was no such island, Byron
shaped a course for Cape Virgins, at the entrance of Magellan's
Strait, anchoring about four or five leagues up the Strait on the
north shore. There took place the Commodore's interview with the
Patagonians, whose stature excited his astonishment. He did not
measure them, but thought that the height of the chief could not
be much less than seven feet. Mr. James Gumming, the first
lieutenant, who was the standard of measurement, was six feet
two inches in height. Byron then proceeded up the Strait for
wood and water, before complying with his instructions relating
to the Falkland Islands. For that purpose the vessels were anchored
first at Sandy Point and afterwards at Port Famine.
In January, 1765, Captain Byron left the Strait, and took formal
possession of the islands by the name of the Falkland Islands,
Captain Strong, in 1689, having given the name of Falkland to
1765-66.] BXKON IN THE PACIFIC. 119
the Strait which divides them. Byron came to the conclusion that
they were identical with the Pepys Island of Cowley. He named
the bay in which he anchored Port Egmont, and another large
bay was called Berkeley Sound. Having made a cursory examina-
tion of great part of the group, the squadron proceeded to Port
Desire again, to meet a store ship sent out from England, which
duly arrived and was sent on to Port Famine. There she filled
up the discovery ships, and sailed on her return to England on
February 25th, 1765.
Byron passed Cape Pilar and entered the Pacific Ocean, running
at the rate of nine knots before a slashing, south-easterly gale. As
yet all his men were free from scurvy, which immunity he attributed
to the supply of fresh vegetables of various kinds obtained in the
Strait. The passage had occupied seven weeks and two days, the
vessels having encountered very severe weather during the greater
part of the time. Wood, water, fresh fish and goats were obtained
at the island of Masafuera on the 28th and following days, and the
squadron proceeded on its voyage on May 1st.
During his voyage across the Pacific, although he passed through
the Dangerous Archipelago and not far from the Society Islands,
Byron succeeded in discovering nothing, a most difficult feat on his
part. He appears to have shaped a course direct for Tinian, where
Anson had recruited his scurvy-stricken people. He sighted a coral
island on the 7th of June, and it was unavoidable that he should see
several others, but he appears to have made no attempt at explora-
tion. Beaching Tinian on the 30th of July, he put up tents for the
sick, who soon recovered from the scurvy which had afflicted them
during the voyage. Byron remained nine weeks at Tinian, and
touched at Pulo Tiunian and Batavia, proceeding home round the
Cape. He sent the Tamar to Antigua to be hove down and have
her rudder newly hung, proceeding home in the Dolphin, and arriving
in the Downs on May 9th, 1766. His voyage was not satisfactory,
the results being so small, and it was decided to despatch another
expedition almost immediately. Byron was Governor of Newfound-
land in 1769, commanded a squadron in North America and the
West Indies against d'Estaing in 1779, with no success, and died,
a Vice-Admiral, in 1786. He was grandfather of Lord Byron,
the poet.
Captain Samuel Wallis was selected to command the new
expedition on board the Dolphin, 24, with Commander Philip
120 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1766-68.
Carteret (2), who had served in Byron's voyage, under his com-
mand, in the Swallow. They left Plymouth on the 22nd of
August, 1766, a little over three months after Byron's return. In
December, the two ships anchored in the same place, inside Cape
Virgins, where the former expedition had been, and where Captain
Byron had roughly over-estimated the stature of the Patagonians.
Captain Wallis made exact measurements, with the result that
the tallest among them were found to be from six feet five inches
to six feet seven inches in height ; the average being from five
feet ten to six feet.
On the 17th of December, 1766, Captain Wallis commenced the
passage of Magellan's Strait, anchoring at Port Famine on the 27th,
where the ships were refitted, and abundance of fish was caught.
There also, owing to the diet of fresh vegetables, the scurvy entirely
disappeared. But the expedition was detained in the Strait longer
than that of Byron. It was not until April llth, 1767, that the
Dolphin passed Cape Pilar, and on the same day the Swallow
parted company, never again rejoining her consort. Captain Wallis
devoted a chapter of his work to some useful sailing directions,
describing the best anchorages in the Strait. He made his way
across the Pacific, sighted land on the 4th of June, 1767, and
passed several islands of the Low Archipelago, to which he gave
names. On the 19th he came in sight of the lofty mountains of
Tahiti, anchoring in seventeen fathoms on the following day, and
thus making a great and important discovery.
Captain Wallis had a very difficult game to play during his stay
at Tahiti, especially in managing the intercourse of his people with
the natives. On the whole he displayed sound judgment and con-
siderable patience. Native encroachments were firmly and consis-
tently resisted, open attacks were duly but not too severely punished,
and in the end he established friendly relations both with the people
and with the Queen Oberea. His difficulties were increased by
ignorance of the language, and the absence of any interpreter.
Wallis remained for seven weeks at Tahiti, which enabled him to land
his sick and restore health to the crew, as well as to obtain stores of
fresh provisions. He gave the name of George III. Island to his
discovery. Sailing on the 27th of July he shaped a westward course,
passed near the lovely island of Eimeo, and also discovered Sir
Charles Saunders Island, which has a high hill in its centre.
But there the discoveries of the Dolphin ended, for, as an
1767-68.] VOYAGES OF WALLIS AND CAltTERET. 121
explorer, Wallis was only half-hearted. With very little excuse,
either on the ground of his vessel being unseaworthy, or his people
being exhausted, he made the best of his way to Tinian, and thence
home by the Cape, arriving at Plymouth on May 20th, 1768.
Captain Wallis was appointed a Commissioner of the Navy in 1782,
and lived in Seymour Street for many years, where he became the
friend of Major Eennell and other geographers of that time. He
died in 1795.
Carteret, in the Swallow, was parted from his consort just
outside Magellan's Strait, with no rendezvous assigned, while the
principal stores were on board the Dolphin, to which vessel the
Swallow was little more than a tender. It required considerable
nerve on Carteret's part to continue the exploring work single
handed; and, in the circumstances, he would have been justified
in returning home. He steered for Juan Fernandez to take in
wood and water, resolving to carry out the work entrusted to him
to the best of his ability, with the insufficient means at his disposal.
He found that Juan Fernandez was no longer a desert island, but
that it had been fortified and occupied by Spanish troops. He
beheld the fort and surrounding houses with astonishment, for no
news of this measure of the Spanish government, which had
been adopted eighteen years before, had reached England. The
order was sent out to occupy Juan Fernandez in 1747, after the
publication of Lord Anson's voyage by his chaplain : and the
arrangements were made by the Conde de Superunda, Viceroy of
Peru. In 1751 a terrible earthquake destroyed the settlement, the
governor and all his family being submerged by a huge wave ;
but the new Viceroy, Don Manuel Amat, promptly sent another
governor, succour and reinforcements. Thus it was that Carteret
beheld guns pointed at him from a fort, instead of the lonely beach
described by Anson's chaplain.
Disconcerted by this surprise, Carteret, who had the experience
gained from his voyage with Byron, made for the less accessible
island of Masafuera. By throwing his casks into the surf, and by
recourse to swimming, the boat's crew succeeded in watering the
ship, but not without some hairbreadth escapes and enduring
great privations on the island. Three men swam on shore,
and the weather became so boisterous that they could not return.
Abandoned and naked they kept warmth in their bodies by each
one taking turns to be sandwiched between the two others. Their
122 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1768-69.
postures must have been unlike those of the Three Graces of
Canova, remarks the Chilian historian of Juan Fernandez.
All the men were got on board by the 19th of May, 1768, and
Carteret then took a northerly course, wishing to solve the question
of Davis's Land which had been placed on the chart in consequence
of a report from Davis the buccaneer. He suggests that the land
seen by Edward Davis in 1687, was the small isles of San Felix and
San Ambrosio near the coast of South America. The description,
in Wafer's voyage, makes this impossible, and Burney had little
doubt that Davis's Land is identical with the Easter Island of
Eoggewein.
Steering westward across the ocean, Carteret discovered an
island on July 2nd, which was named Pitcairn's Island, because it
was first seen from the masthead of the Swallow by a midshipman
of that name. Carteret then sighted several coral islands to the
south of the Low Archipelago, and thus missed Tahiti. In August
the crew began to be afflicted by scurvy, and laud was anxiously
looked out for ; but none was reached until they fell in with an island
of the Santa Cruz group. The attacks of the natives with poisoned
arrows made it impossible to refit. Carteret, who was himself very
ill with scurvy, could do no more than get in a supply of water, and
the next land he sighted was the New Britain of Dampier. There
he made the important discovery that this land consisted of two
islands, and he sailed between them. He named the other island
New Ireland, and the strait St. George's Channel. At last he was
able to careen and caulk his vessel, and to get some fruit for his
scurvy-stricken people ; but he was again fiercely attacked by the
savages. Beaching Macassar, he was treated most inhospitably by
the Dutch, who refused to allow him any fresh provisions, and he
was obliged to sail onwards to Batavia. Carteret brought the
Swallow back to Spithead on the 20th of March, 1769, ten months
after the return of Captain Wallis. He became a Superannuated
Rear- Admiral and died at Southampton in 1796.
During the absence of Wallis's expedition, the Koyal Society
had addressed the Government with a view to a vessel being
despatched to the South Pacific to observe the transit of Venus
over the sun's disc, which was to occur in the year 1769. The
enlightened Government of that day readily acceded to the request,
and resolved to fit out and despatch an expedition mainly with the
object of observing the transit, but also for exploration and discovery.
1768.] CAPTAIN JAMES COOK. 123
The selection of a leader for this famous expedition was the
most fortunate that ever was made ; and the honour appears to
have been due to Mr. Philip Stephens, the Secretary of the
Admiralty.
James Cook, the founder of modern marine surveying, possessed
qualifications which are rarely combined in one man, and which
place him first in the glorious roll of maritime discoverers, not only
in his own time, but for all time. He has no equal, and stands alone.
He excelled all others in resolute determination, in patience and
reasonableness, in devotion to his work, and in the power of taking
trouble and of attending to minute details as well as to important
matters. Others have had one or more of those qualifications in
equal degree. No other has ever combined them so pre-eminently
as Cook did, in a way which amounted to genius. The son of a
farm labourer near Guisborough, in the North Riding of Yorkshire,
James Cook was born on October 27th, 1728. He was taught to read
and cipher at a village school, and at the age of twelve was bound
apprentice to a man who kept a general shop at the little fishing
village of Staiths, near Whitby. At Staiths, he saw the sea for the
first time, and before long he got his discharge from the shop and
bound himself apprentice for seven years to Messrs. Walker of
Whitby, who owned the True Love in the coal trade. After he had
served his time, young Cook continued to work as a foremast hand,
until at last he was made mate on board one of Mr. Walker's ships.
In 1755, Cook was in the Thames when there was a great demand
for seamen to man the fleet, and, to avoid being pressed, he
volunteered as an able seaman on board H.M.S. Eagle. She sailed
to North America under Captain Hugh Palliser and took part
in the capture of Louisbourg. It appears that Palliser was so
impressed with young Cook's intelligence and ability, that he used
all his influence to get him made an officer, and so successfully that
in 1759 Cook was appointed Master of the Mercury, 24, which
ship was also sent to North America, at the time of the expedition
against Quebec. Then followed a series of valuable services in
sounding the St. Lawrence during the war, and in surveying the
coasts of Newfoundland. Cook's work was so highly appreciated
at the Admiralty that, when it was resolved to send out an
expedition to observe the transit of Venus, he was selected for
the command, at the recommendation of Mr. Stephens, and
received a commission of Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy. The
124 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1768.
transfer of a Master to the executive line in those days was most
unusual, while such a rise, from the rating of able seaman, was
almost unprecedented. It reflects the highest credit on the Admiralty
of that day, for no selection could have been better in any respect.
Cook was by that time an officer of experience, an accurate and
conscientious surveyor ; and he possessed those far higher qualifica-
tions which could only be developed when he was face to face
with the responsibilities of his position, and with the innumer-
able difficulties which surrounded the commander of such an
expedition.
Cook was allowed to select his vessel, and he chose a strongly
built bark of 370 tons, and drawing little water, named the
Endeavour. Built at Whitby, she was purchased into the Navy,
brought round to the Thames, and fitted out at Deptford Dockyard.
Besides the Lieutenant-commanding, her complement of officers con-
sisted of two Lieutenants and a Master, three Master's Mates, seven
Midshipmen, a Surgeon and Surgeon's Mate, a Clerk, and three
warrant officers. Mr. Joseph Banks of Revesby Abbey, a scientific
botanist as well as a Lincolnshire squire of large fortune, volunteered
to accompany the expedition, taking with him a Swedish naturalist
named Solander, and four artists. Mr. Charles Green, one of the
assistants at Greenwich Observatory, was appointed astronomer. It
was originally intended to proceed to the Marquesas Islands to observe
the transit. But Captain Wallis returned before the expedition sailed
and recommended his new discovery so strongly that Tahiti was finally
selected. Harrison had completed his invention of the chronometer,
but none were supplied to the Endeavour. The expedition had to rely
entirely upon the observations of lunars for its longitudes. This was
one of the special duties of the astronomer, constantly assisted by
Cook himself ; and the accuracy of these lunar observations is, as the
present Hydrographer has pointed out, one of the most remarkable
results of the voyage. The first Nautical Almanac was published by
Dr. Nevil Maskelyne, the Astronomer Eoyal, 1767 ; but it then only
contained tables of declination, and distances of the moon from the
sun and fixed stars, computed for the meridian of Greenwich and
expressly designed for finding the longitude at sea. It was quite a
thin volume.
Mr. Banks and his scientific staff joined at Plymouth, the ex-
pedition finally sailing on the 26th of July, 1768. Besides twenty
officers and seven members of the scientific staff, she had a crew of
17U8-69.J COOK'S FIRST VOYAGE. 125
sixty-seven men; so that the little vessel must have been very
closely packed. This of course necessitated constant attention to
the sanitary conditions, and to the diet, if the crew of the Endeavour
was not to be decimated by scurvy ; a fate which had attended all
previous expeditions of the kind.
Cook resolved to abandon the practice of his predecessors, who
navigated through Magellan's Strait during many weary weeks, in
the face of strong adverse winds. He saved much time and fatigue
by rounding Cape Horn, arriving safely at Tahiti on the 13th of
April, 1769. The Endeavour anchored" in the " Port Eoyal " of
Captain Wallis, called by the natives Matavai. Lieutenant Cook's
first care was to establish friendly relations with the people, and
with that object he drew up rules to be observed by the ship's
company, "for the better establishing of a regular and uniform
trade for provisions, with the inhabitants of King George's Island."
An observatory was established on shore, and the transit of Venus
across the sun's disc was successfully observed by Captain Cook,
Mr. Green, and Dr. Solander on the 4th of June, 1769.
Having taken this important observation, the commander,
accompanied by Mr. Banks, circumnavigated the island in the
pinnace, with a view of mapping the coasts and harbours. A very
full and interesting account was drawn up of the island of Tahiti,
its physical aspects and products, the appearance of the people and
their manners and customs, manufactures, implements, language,
religion, and government, with detailed descriptions of their weapons
and canoes. When Captain Cook prepared for his departure, one of
the most influential men in the island, named Tupia, volunteered to
accompany him. This was very desirable, chiefly as a means of
acquiring the language, and Tupia was received on board with a
native boy as his servant. The Endeavour sailed on the 13th of July
after a stay of three months, during which time judicious measures
were adopted for maintaining friendly relations with the people, and
order was maintained in the regulation of the traffic, which was
principally managed by Mr. Banks. The northern extremity of
Tahiti was named Point Venus.
Tupia informed Captain Cook of the existence of several in-
habited islands to the westward of Tahiti, which were visited by the
Endeavour ; and the excellent chart based on Cook's survey was the
only guide to mariners for more than a century. Retaining the
native names for the six islands, some of which he visited and
126 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-17«2. [1770.
surveyed, Cook gave the name of Society Islands to the whole
group, in honour of the Royal Society.
Sailing from the Society Islands, Cook shaped a southerly course
with the object of ascertaining whether the alleged southern con-
tinent existed. He went as far as 40° S., but, meeting with very
tempestuous weather, he laid aside this design and stood to the
northward. On the 7th of October the land of the North Island of
New Zealand was sighted from the masthead, and on the 9th the
Endeavour was anchored in the entrance of the small river of
Tauranga nui. On the 15th, Cook was off Akuriri Cliff, at the back
of which now stands the flourishing town of Napier. On the 5th of
November, the Endeavour anchored in what is now known as Cook's
Bay. Passing the harbour where Auckland now stands, which is
hidden behind a number of islands, Cook reached Hauraki Gulf ;
and on the 27th he named a cape after Sir Piercy Brett, one of the
Lords of the Admiralty, who had served in Anson's expedition. On
the 29th he anchored in the Bay of Islands; and on the 14th of
December he reached the northern extremity of the North Island.
Cook then examined the west side of the island. On January 13th,
1770, he was off the lofty-peaked mountain which he named Mount
Egmont, and on the 15th he anchored in Queen Charlotte Sound, in
the north-east part of the Middle Island.
Sir William Wharton, in annotating this part of Cook's journal,
remarks on the extraordinary accuracy of his positions, on the
characteristic tenacity with which he stuck to the coast in order to
complete his survey, and on the mingled audacity and caution of his
navigation.
He next proceeded to examine the coasts of the Middle Island of
New Zealand. He named the southernmost point of the North
Island after his patron Sir Hugh Palliser, but was not near enough
to see the entrance to Port Nicholson, within which Wellington, the
present capital of New Zealand, is situated. On the 17th of
February, Banks's Peninsula, which Cook believed to be an island,
was sighted, with its harbours of Lyttleton and Akaroa. On the
5th of March the Endeavour was off the south point of the Middle
Island, and on the 9th South or Stewart Island was sighted. Cook be-
lieved that it was part of the Middle Island, and proceeded to examine
the mountainous western coast. Sir William Wharton remarks :—
" The astonishing accuracy of Cook's outline of New Zealand must be the admira-
lon of all who understand the difficulties of laying down a coast; and when it is
1770.] COOK'S FIEST VOYAGE. 127
considered that this coast line is 2400 miles in extent, the magnitude of the task will
be realised by everybody. Never has a coast been so well laid down by a first
explorer, and it must have required unceasing vigilance and continual observation in
fair weather and foul to arrive at such a satisfactory conclusion ; and with such a dull
sailer as the Endeavour, the six-and-a-half months occupied in the work must be
counted as a short interval in which to do it."
Cook devotes a chapter to a full and interesting account of New
Zealand and the Maoris. Cook then discusses the question of a
southern continent, the routes of Quiros and Eoggewein, and the
position of the much disputed Davis's Land. His conclusion is
that there could be no continental land to the north of 40° S.
between New Zealand and Cape Horn.
On the 1st of April, Cook left New Zealand and steered to the
westward, sighting the south-east coast of Australia on the 19th.
A gale forced him to run to the northward, and on the 29th the
Endeavour was anchored in Botany Bay. Leaving it in May, he
passed a bay which he named Port Jackson, after one of the
secretaries of the Admiralty, on the 6th, but did not detect the
existence of the magnificent harbour of Sydney. Proceeding north-
wards, Cook steered the ship between the land and the Great
Barrier Keef, of the existence of which he was not aware. Soon he
got among numerous shoals and islands, " the whole sea in his track
being strewn with dangers," and on the llth of June the ship struck
and stuck fast on the Endeavour reef. Upwards of fifty tons of
guns, ballast, and old stores were thrown overboard to lighten her,
and the two bower anchors were laid out astern. Meanwhile the
leak gained considerably on the pumps. Nevertheless Cook resolved
to heave her off, and at ten on June 12th she floated, the leak
still gaining. The commander fully expected that the ship would
sink. He knew that the boats could not convey all his people to
the distant and inhospitable shore. But when the ship floated it
was found, to his surprise and joy, that the pumps actually gained
upon the leak. Once more the Endeavour was under sail and
standing for the land. Yet it was impossible long to continue the
labour by which the pumps were made to hold their own against
the leak. As its exact position could not be found, there was
no hope of stopping it from inboard. Cook determined to
fother the ship, and as a young midshipman, named Monkhouse,
had seen this done on board a merchant ship, the operation was
entrusted to his superintendence. Taking a lower studding sail, he
mixed together a large quantity of oakum and wool chopped pretty
128 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1770.
small, and stitched it down in handfuls upon the sail, which, thus
prepared, was hauled under the ship's hottom. When it came over
the leak, the suction which drew in the water also carried with it
the oakum and wool from the surface of the sail. The leak was so
far reduced, by this means, that it was easily kept under.
During the whole of this trying time every soul on board, having
perfect confidence in the commander, behaved admirably. The
ship was brought into a river on the coast, which was named
Endeavour Kiver, where the flourishing port of Cook-town has
recently risen into importance. A monument to the memory of
Captain Cook has been erected on the very spot where his ship was
careened. Here the Endeavour was thoroughly refitted; and it
was here that kangaroos were first seen by Europeans. The
name was obtained from the natives by Mr. Banks. Cook found
a safe passage through the Barrier Keef, 150 miles to the north,
which led him into Torres Strait, and which he named " Providential
Channel." Thus was the whole coast of New South Wales dis-
covered by the great navigator.
The navigation of Torres Strait is difficult and very intricate.
The passage discovered by Cook, through what he called Endeavour
Strait, is now little used, the difficulty of finding a narrow pass
among the reefs, so far from land, having caused it to be abandoned.
Cook established the existence of the strait between Australia and
New Guinea, for the fact that Luis Vaez Torres passed through it
in 1606 was unknown, the detail of that voyage having been
concealed by the Spanish Government. It was first made known
by Dairy rnple.
After a short detention to examine the coast of New Guinea,
and to effect a landing, on its western side, Cook made the best of
his way to Batavia, where he anchored on the llth of October, 1770.
Among the successful achievements of this gifted sailor the greatest
was perhaps his preservation of his people from scurvy. The usual
antiscorbutics were supplied such as saur-kraut, inspissated lemon
juice, molasses, portable soup, and malt to be made into wort ; but
-this had been done before. Cook's success was due to his constant
vigilance, and close personal inspection. No opportunity was ever
allowed to be missed of procuring supplies of green food; such as
the wild celery of Tierra del Fuego. Wort was served out as a
regular article of diet. Cold bathing was enforced, unusual attention
was paid to cleanliness, stoves were used to keep the decks dry even
1771-2.] COOK'S SECOND VOYAGE.
in hot weather, and the commander personally saw that all his
sanitary regulations were carried out. Three slight cases of scorbutic
disorder occurred on the voyage to Tahiti, and were promptly
cured ; otherwise there was no scurvy on board during the expedi-
tion ; a result which was entirely due to Cook's vigilance and elope
personal attention to the sanitation of the ship.
But two months in the sickly climate of Batavia, a detention
which was unavoidable in order to refit and execute repairs,
brought on diseases against which the commander was unprepared.
Dysentery and fever broke out, and the return home was saddened by
the loss of both the Lieutenants, the Master and Surgeon, two Mid-
shipmen, the Boatswain and Carpenter, Mr. Green the astronomer,
three of Mr. Banks's artists, Tupia the Tahitian, and his boy ; while
the ship's company was decimated before the Endeavour reached
the Cape. Out of 94 persons who left England in her, only 54 were
alive when she reached home on the 12th of June, 1771.
The beneficial effect of this memorable voyage on the Govern-
ment and on public opinion immediately became evident. It was-
fully admitted in Byron's instructions that one of the duties of the
Navy was the prosecution of voyages of discovery. But now that,
important duty was carried out with an amount of alacrity and
zeal which is deserving of all praise. Cook was justly looked upon
as a genius, and as possessing unrivalled qualifications for such
service. The old Endeavour was sold, and she sailed for many year&
as a collier in the North Sea. But within three months of paying
her off, James Cook was appointed to command a second expedi-
tion of discovery in the Pacific Ocean. He again selected two Whitby
built colliers, the Resolution, of 462, and the Adventure, of 336 tons.
Cook was promoted to the rank of Commander,1 and Lieutenant
Tobias Furneaux, who had served with Captain Wallis in the
Dolphin, was appointed to the Adventure. Two officers who had
been out as Master's Mates in the first voyage, Charles Clark and
Richard Pickersgill, were selected by Commander Cook as second and
third Lieutenants respectively Of the Re/solution . There were other old
Endeavours among the junior officers and men. Mr. Wales sailed
in the Resolution and Mr. Bagley in the Adventure as astronomers,
and two German naturalists, father and son, named Forster, were
taken. There were also Mr. Hodges an artist, and a Swedish
1 Cook's Commander's commission was dated Aug. 29th, 1771, and his commission,
as Captain, Aug. 9th, 1775.— W. L. C.
VOL. IV. K
130 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1772.
botanist, shipped at the Cape, named Sparman. Among the Mid-
shipmen were George Vancouver the future commander of a famous
expedition, and James Burney (I),1 who afterwards wrote the
standard work on voyages to the Pacific Ocean.
This time the ships carried four chronometers ; and close
attention was given to the supply of antiscorbutics, the vigilant
Commander redoubling his efforts to preserve his people from the
scourge of scurvy.
The chief object of Cook's second voyage was to solve the
question of the existence of a great southern continent ; a subject
which, during the first expedition, had engaged the attention of the
accomplished navigator. He was well acquainted with the early
Spanish and Dutch voyages through the translations of Dalrymple,
and with the speculations of cartographers ; and the importance of
deciding the question was recognised alike by men of science and
by statesmen. Thus the avowed object of Cook's second voyage
was to complete the discovery of the southern hemisphere. He was
to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope, and to sail thence in a
southerly direction in search of Cape Circumcision, reported in 1739
by M. Bouvet, a French commander, as having been sighted in
54° S. and 11° 20' E. If it proved to be part of a continent he was
to use his best endeavours to explore it, and he was to continue
prosecuting discoveries in high latitudes, penetrating as near to the
south pole as possible. On the 13th of July, 1772, Captain Cook
sailed from Plymouth, with the Adventure in company, arriving at
the Cape of Good Hope on the 29th of October.
On the 22nd of November, the expedition sailed from the Cape
and shaped a course to the alleged position of Bouvet's Cape
Circumcision. On the 10th of December, they sighted one of the
flat-topped Antarctic icebergs, passing six on the 12th, some of them
near two miles in circumference ; and next day there were upwards
of twenty in sight. On the 14th, the ships were stopped by the
great polar pack. Having ascertained that Cape Circumcision had
no existence, Commander Cook continued to examine the edge of
the ice, amidst very perilous navigation, until he had crossed the
Antarctic Circle, and reached a latitude of 67° 15' S. He
then bore up, and, having searched the Antarctic seas from the
1 James Burney (1) was made a Commander on Oct. 2nd, 1780, and a Post-Captain
on June 18th, 1782. He retired in 1804, and died many years later, a Superannuated
Uear-Admiral.— W. L. C,
1773.] COOK IN THE ANTARCTIC. 131
meridian of the Cape of Good Hope to that of New Zealand, he
anchored in Dusky Bay, in the Middle Island, on March 26th, 1773.
The Adventure had parted company, during thick weather, in
February. Commander Cook found her in May, when the Resolution
went northward to Queen Charlotte Sound. Lieutenant Furneaux
, had examined the east coast of Van Diemen's Land. In June, the
two vessels sailed for Tahiti, arriving there on the 16th of August.
Friendly relations were renewed with the amiable natives of that
lovely island, and with their King Otu, who afterwards took the
name of Pomare I. and reigned until 1808. On September 1st,
the ships left Tahiti, and proceeded to Huaheine, one of the
Society Islands, where Furneaux consented to take on board his
ship a young native named Omai, whose conduct was excellent
throughout the voyage, and during his residence of two years in
England. The Prince of Wales, in a letter to Archbishop Markham,
described the visit of Omai to King George III. at Kew. The ships
then visited Uliatea, another of the Society Islands, and Commander
Cook took on board a youth named Uadidi, who was a native of
Bolabola.
The expedition next shaped a course to the Friendly Islands,
which had not been visited since their discovery by Tasman.
Commander Cook touched at the islands of Tongatabu and Eua,
and then returned to New Zealand. There very severe weather
was encountered, gale succeeded gale, and the Adventure parted
company never again to rejoin. Lieutenant Furneaux went home by
Cape Horn, and arrived in England a year before his senior officer.
Thus left alone, the Eesolution proceeded to Queen Charlotte's
Sound on November 2nd, and waited in vain for her consort
until the 25th.
On November 25th, 1773, Commander Cook sailed from New
Zealand on his second attempt to penetrate far to the south.
The first iceberg was encountered on the 12th of December in
62° 10', eleven degrees further south than the first ice they saw
in the preceding year, after leaving the Cape of Good Hope. On
the 14th, there was loose ice, with many bergs, which rapidly
increased in number as the ship proceeded southwards. The pack
ice appeared to be composed chiefly of calvings from the bergs.
For six weeks Cook faced the stormy Antarctic seas, and braved
the perils of the ice ; until, on the 29th of January, 1774, he was
stopped by a field of ice extending far beyond sight to east and
K 2
132 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1703-1792. [1774.
west, with a strong ice bleak to the south. This was in 70° 23' S.
As many as ninety-seven icebergs were counted within the ice,
many of them of great size, besides those outside. The Commander
believed that there must be land beyond the ice-field. He had
reached 71° 10' S. before he resolved to turn his ship's head north-
wards. Cook had now complied with his instructions ; but, with a
good ship and healthy crew, he felt it to be his duty to continue his
discoveries. His plan was to fix the position of the Easter Island of
Koggewein, and then to go in search of the " Espiritu Santo " of
Quiros, finally returning by Cape Horn, and examining the southern
part of the Atlantic Ocean. All his officers heartily concurred in the
plans of their leader, and were resolved zealously to carry out his
orders.
In the morning of the llth of March, 1774, land was sighted
and was identified by Cook as Davis's Land or Easter Island.
Indeed, with the help of a glass, he could make out the colossal
stone statues, described by the authors of Koggewein's voyage. On
the 13th, he anchored off the island, and during the next three days
he made a thorough examination of the curious platforms and
statues, and noted the products and the character and appearance
of the inhabitants. Thence the Eesolution shaped a course to the
Marquesas Islands, and on the 6th of April a young Midship-
man named Hood sighted land, which proved to be an undis-
covered island of the Marquesas group. Cook gave it the name
of Hood's Island. The others discovered by Mendana in 1595
soon came in sight, San Pedro, San Dominico and Santa Cristina ;
and the ship was anchored on the 7th at the entrance of
Mendana's Bay in Santa Cristina's Island. It was in July, 1595,
that Alvaro de Mendana had discovered the group, and four of the
islands which compose it were described by his chief pilot, Pedro
Fernandez de Quiros. On the 28th, the ships of Mendana anchored
in a bay of the island of Santa Cristina, which was named Puerto
del Madre de Dios, and on the 5th they left the group which received
the name of " Las Marquesas de Mendoza," in honour of the
Marquis of Canete, Viceroy of Peru, whose surname was Mendoza.
The British Commander sought for and anchored in Mendana's
port. The Resolution left the Marquesas on the llth of April,
1774, and Cook devotes a chapter of his narrative to a description
of the islands and an account of the inhabitants. On the 21st of
the same month the Resolution was once more anchored at Tahiti,
1774.] CORRECTNESS OF COOK'S CHARTS. 133
in Matavai Bay. The chief object of this second visit was to
obtain the error and rate of the chronometers, and Mr. Wales
landed at once with his instruments. At that time there was no
one on the sick list. Once more the friendly relations with King
Otu and his people were renewed. The ship also underwent
a thorough refit ; and the naturalists made a botanical excursion
into the mountains of the interior. In May, the Society Islands
were revisited, and young Uadidi, an excellent and useful lad who
had been nearly a year on board, remained at Uliatea.
Continuing the voyage from the Society to the Friendly Islands,
Commander Cook discovered several islands on the way, anchoring at
Anamoca on the 27th of June, 1774. Thence he shaped a course
to the " Espiritu Santo," discovered by Quiros on the 30th of
April, 1606, and supposed by him to be the " Australia " of which
he was in search. On the 21st of July, 1774, the Resolution was
anchored in a bay of the island of Malicolo, one of the largest
of the New Hebrides group. Several other islands were after-
wards discovered and surveyed, and on the 5th of August the
Resolution was anchored in a bay of the island of Tanna. Cook
explored the whole group of islands forming the New Hebrides,
which extends over three hundred and fifty miles. Sir William
Wharton says : " Cock's chart of the New Hebrides is still, for
some of the islands, the only one ; and, wherever superseded by
more recent surveys, the general accuracy of his work, both in out-
line and position, is very remarkable. On several occasions, up to
the present year (1893), Cook's recorded positions have saved the
adoption of so-called amendments reported by passing ships, which
would have been anything but amendments in reality." After
leaving the New Hebrides, Captain Cook discovered the island
of New Caledonia, exploring the eastern side three hundred miles
long, and Norfolk Island.
The Resolution returned to New Zealand to refit, anchoring in
Queen Charlotte Sound on October 19th, 1774. After three weeks
the ship resumed her voyage across the Pacific Ocean to Tierra del
Fuego, making the desolate looking land on the 17th of December.
At Christmas the Resolution was anchored in a bay which received
the name of Christmas Sound, with numerous islets and snowy
mountains bounding the view. The voyage was continued round
Cape Horn, and through the strait of Le Maire. On the 3rd of
January, 1775, Captain Cook left Staten Island and steered S.E. to
131 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1775.
discover the extensive coast line laid down by Mr. Dalrymple on
his chart, in which was " the Gulf of San Sebastian." On the 14th,
snow-covered land was sighted, and received the name of South
Georgia, in 54° 30' S. Pressing southwards, the existence of
Dalrymple's continent was disproved, and Sandwich Land was.
discovered amidst snow, fogs, gales of wind and icebergs, in 60° S.
On March 23rd, the Besolution was anchored in Table Bay. There
Cook heard of the discoveries of the French captains, Surville and
Crozet.
The Resolution was safely anchored at Spithead on the 30th of
July, 1775, after an absence of three years and eighteen days.
During the whole of that time Cook lost only four men, and only
one from sickness. This remarkable immunity was not due to
antiscorbutics, or very slightly due to them, for the Adventure was
supplied in exactly the same way, yet suffered much from scurvy.
It was due to the untiring vigilance of the Commander. He person-
ally saw that his orders were carried out, that the men shifted into
dry clothes when wet ; that their persons, bedding, and clothes were
kept clean and dry ; that the ship was always clean and dry between
decks, and frequently aired with swinging stoves ; the air purified ;
the ship's coppers always kept clean. Cook modestly ends his
narrative with the remark that " without claiming any merit but
that of attention to my duty, our having discovered the possibility
of preserving health amongst a numerous ship's company for such
a length of time, in such varieties of climate, and amidst such
continued hardships and fatigues, will make this voyage remarkable
when the disputes about a southern continent shall have ceased to
engage the attention, and to divide the judgment of philosophers."
This certainly was an achievement deserving of the highest
praise. It was a great and important service to the nation ; and it
should be remembered that the explorers and surveyors, in expelling
the scurvy from their ship, set an example which was but slowly
followed by the rest of the Navy. The healthful condition of the
officers and crew of the Besolution ensured that efficiency which
resulted in so many valuable discoveries, and in the examination of
the whole circuit of the southern ocean in the highest latitudes ever
reached.
Commander Cook was promoted to post rank on his return, and
was elected a Fellow of the Koyal Society. He communicated papers
on the prevention of scurvy and on the tides of the Pacific to the
1773.] ARCTIC EXPLORATION. 135
Society, and prepared his own narrative for the press. The Royal
Society caused a fine portrait medal to be struck in his honour.
It may have been the instructions to Cook to endeavour to
solve the question of a southern continent, which suggested to
the mind of Mr. Daines Barrington the importance of a renewal
of Arctic exploration. Certain it is that he urged the matter on
the attention of the Council of the Royal Society immediately
CAPTAIN THE HON. CONSTANTINE JOHN PHIl'PS, B.N. LATER LOUD MULQRAVK.
(From an engraved portrait by Ridley in the 'Naval Chronicle! 1802.)
after Cook's departure on his second voyage, representing that
there was evidence to show that a near approach to the north
pole was not impracticable. The Royal Society was convinced of
the importance of despatching an expedition to make the attempt,
and submitted a request to the First Lord of the Admiralty that
such an enterprise might be undertaken by the Government. Lord
Sandwich entered warmly into the project, which was brought
before him at the end of February, 1773. Two bomb vessels,
130 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1773.
the Racehorse and Carcass, were selected for the service and
specially strengthened, the command of the expedition being en-
trusted to Captain the Hon. Constantino John Phipps (afterwards
Lord Mulgrave), who sailed in the Racehorse, while Commander
Skeffiiigton Lutwidge was appointed to the Carcass. In the Race-
horse there were three Lieutenants and a Master, three Master's
Mates, and six Midshipmen. The Carcass had three Lieutenants
and a Master, three Master's Mates, and six Midshipmen. One
of these six midshipmen was Horatio Nelson, who thus, like Hyde
Parker, Saunders, Brett, Eiou, and many others among his prede-
cessors and contemporaries, prepared himself for his glorious naval
career by the very best training that a sailor can possibly have —
service in an exploring expedition.
Captain Phipps's expedition left the Thames on June 4th, 1773,
and in a month the two vessels were off the north-west point of
Spitzbergen. On the 9th, they were in latitude 80° 36' N. Captain
SIGNATURE OF ADMIRAL SKEFFINGTON LUTWIDQE, AS CAPTAIN, 1789.
Phipps then stood into every opening he could find to the north-
ward ; but was stopped, at every attempt, by • solid fields of ice.
He forced the ships, by press of sail, as far as possible through
the loose pack. His highest northern latitude was in 80° 48' N. ;
and he examined the edge of the ice extending over 20° of longitude,
finding no opening in the polar pack in any direction. The ex-
pedition returned to England in September, after a careful and
persevering examination of the ice, and after having attempted
to bore through it at every point that offered the remotest chance
of success. To force a way through the drifting pack, away from
the land, against the current, is an impossibility ; and this is what
Captain Phipps was trying to do. But he did all that energy and
good seamanship could possibly achieve, and he was well supported
by his officers.1 He is entitled to a very honourable place in the
roll of Arctic worthies.
On the return of Captain Phipps, the British Government
1 Commander Lutwidge was posted on Oct. 15th, 1773. He died a full Admiral
on Aug. 21st, 1814.— W. L. C.
1776.] COOK'S THIRD VOYAGE. 137
turned its attention to the discovery of a passage, round the
northern coast of America, from the Pacific to the Atlantic. After
full consideration, an expedition had been determined upon, when
Cook returned from his second voyage. He might well have
rested on his laurels ; but this loyal and indefatigable public
servant considered it to be his duty to volunteer once more. The
offer of his services was gladly accepted by Lord Sandwich, and
he was entrusted with the conduct of the projected voyage. The
Resolution was employed again, and a vessel of three hundred tons,
named the Discovery, was purchased to act as her consort.
Cook's instructions were to proceed to the Cape of Good Hope,
and thence to shape a southerly course in search of some islands
reported by the French in 48° S. Touching at New Zealand, he
was next to proceed to Tahiti and land Omai, who had come to
England with Captain Furneaux.1 From Tahiti Captain Cook
was directed to proceed to the coast of New Albion in about
45° N., steering northward along the coast of North America to
65° N., or further, if not obstructed by land or ice, and then
to seek for any inlet leading in the direction of Hudson's or
Baffin's Bays, and, if there were such an opening, he was to use
his utmost endeavour to pass through. If there were no passage
he was to proceed to Petropaulovski, or some other port, to refresh
his people ; and, in the spring of 1778 he was to make another
attempt. If his object were found impracticable, he was to return
to England by such route as he might think best for the improve-
ment of geography and navigation. Captain Cook's instructions
were dated July 6th, 1776.
The Admiralty also resolved to cause an examination of the
west coast of Baffin's Bay to be made, to ascertain whether there
was any opening leading to the westward. With this object the brig
Lion was commissioned, and Lieutenant Richard Pickersgill, who
had been with Captain Cook during his second voyage, received the
command. Pickersgill sailed, to Davis Strait in July, 1776 ; but
only went as far north as 68° 14' N., and returned in the autumn.
His conduct was not considered satisfactory, and in the following
year Lieutenant Young was appointed to the Lion, but his pro-
ceedings were even less successful than those of Pickersgill. The
two voyages, in 1776 and 1777, to find a western outlet to Baffin's
Bay were abortive.
1 Commander Tobias Furneaux had been posted on Aug. 10;h, 1775. — W. L. C.
138 VOYAGES AKD DISCOVEX1ES, 1763-1792. [1776-77.
Meanwhile, Captain Cook proceeded on his last voyage. The
Discovery was commanded by Commander Charles Clark, who had
been with Captain Byron in the Dolphin, and a Lieutenant in Cook's
second voyage. Lieutenants John Gore,1 James King,2 and John
Williamson :< were in the Resolution ; Lieutenants flames Burney,4
who had been a Midshipman in the second voyage, and John
Rickman 5 in the Discovery. The Master of the Resolution was
William Bligh ; 6 of the Discovery, Thomas Edgar ; 7 and among the
Midshipmen was Edward Eiou, who afterwards fell gloriously at the
battle of Copenhagen, in command of the Amazon frigate, and
Vancouver. Mr. Bagley, the astronomer, who had been with
Furneaux, now sailed in the Discovery, and chronometers were
supplied to both ships.. Dr. Anderson was surgeon and naturalist,
and Mr. Webber joined as draftsman . Omai, the Society Islander,
was loaded with presents, and embarked for a passage to his native
country. The expedition sailed from Plymouth on July 14th, 1776.
Captain Cook's first duty, after sailing from the Cape, was
to examine the discoveries, in high southern latitudes, reported
by French vessels ; but he was supplied with few details. He
visited Kerguelen Island, made a survey of Christmas Harbour,
and then shaped a course for Van Diemen's Land, remaining a
few days in Adventure Bay, and having friendly intercourse with
the natives — a race now extinct.
On February 10th, 1777, Captain Cook was at Queen Charlotte's
Bound, in New Zealand, and, after staying there a fortnight to
recruit and refresh his people, he resumed his voyage. During
the passage to the Friendly Islands, Mangia and other islands were
discovered. After a stay of nearly three months at the Friendly
Islands, where the people were presented with several useful
animals, the expedition arrived at Tahiti on August 12th, having
discovered the Island of Tubuai on the 8th. The old friendly
relations with the king and people were renewed, and useful
animals and plants were imported. After leaving Tahiti on
1 John Gore (1) became a Captain on Oct. 2nd, 1780, and died m 1790.— W. L. C.
2 James King became a Captain on Oct. 3rd, 1780, and died in 1784.— W. L. C.
3 John Williamson (1) became a Captain on June llth, 1782, and died in 1799.
— \\ . L. C.
* See note, p. 130, antea.
" John Rickman, a Lieutenant of 1776, was never further promoted — W L C
^William Bligh ("Bounty Bligh"), of whom later, died a Vice-Admiral in 1817.
— W. L. C.
7 Thomas Edgar was made a Lieutenant in 1781, and died in that rank.— W. L. C.
177S.]
COOICS THIRD VOYAUE.
139
September 30th, the islands of Eimeo, Huaheine, Uliatea, and
Bolabola were visited. Omai was landed, with his numerous
presents, at his native island of Huaheine. In the narrative of
his third voyage, Captain Cook devotes a chapter to another full
account of the Tahitians, their customs and language, chiefly from
information collected by Dr. Anderson, the surgeon and naturalist.
Captain Cook then steered northwards with a view to carrying
out the most important part of his instructions. In January, 1778,
he came in sight of the north-western islands of a previously
unknown group which he named the Sandwich Islands. It was
a most important discovery. He touched, on this occasion, at the
islands of Atooi (Kauai) and Oneehow (Nihau), and then proceeded
011 his northern course. On March 6th, he sighted the coast of New
MEDAL COMMEMORATIVE OK COOK'S VOYAGES.
(From an original lent by Capt. H.S.ff. Prince Louis of Battenlerg, if.Y.)
Albion, discovered by Sir Francis Drake nearly two hundred years
before. Cook remained a month in Nootka Sound, on the west
coast of what, in honour of one of his own Midshipmen, is now
called Vancouver's Island. Continuing his voyage to the north,
he looked out for any strait. or outlet leading in the direction of
Hudson's Bay. Prince William's Inlet and Cook's Eiver were
examined and the western extreme of North America was reached.
Passing through Behring's Strait, Captain Cook proceeded to
examine the ice on either side. On the American coast he went
as far as Icy Cape ; but he was in shoal water on a lee shore, with
the ice to windward driving down upon his ship. An immense
herd of walrus was seen on the ice. The ships reached a latitude
of 70° 6' N., and attention was then turned to the Asiatic side.
140 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 17C3-1792. [1779.
Captain Cook resolutely persevered in this hazardous . navigation
for several weeks, but on October 26th the ships' heads were turned
to the south, as the illustrious commander of the expedition had
resolved to winter at the Sandwich Islands. The islands of Maui
and Hawaii were sighted on December 1st, and on January 16th,
.1779, Mr. Bligh, the Master, was sent to examine the Bay of
Karakakoa, on the west coast of Hawaii. Next day the ships were
anchored in that bay, friendly relations being established with the
natives ; and there the narrative of Captain Cook ceased. His
life-work was completed. The story is continued by his faithful
lieutenant, James King.
The king of the island, named Tiriobu, who had been absent
in Maui, returned a few days after the ships had anchored, and was
cordial in his reception of the explorers, while an observatory
established on shore was made tabu and placed under the protec-
tion of the priests. On the 7th of February, the ships put to sea,
but returned on the llth, having encountered a gale of wind, during
which the head of the foremast of one of the ships was sprung.
The foremast was got out and towed on shore for repair, and the
sails were also sent on shore to be overhauled and repaired, near
the observatory and the watering-place. Soon afterwards the con-
duct of the natives became suspicious, the watering parties were
molested, and a cutter was stolen. On the 14th, Captain Cook
ordered guard to be rowed to prevent canoes from leaving the bay,
sent Lieutenant King to the watering-place, and went himself in
the pinnace, with Lieutenant Phillips of the Marines and nine
privates, to a village called Kowrowa, where the king resided,
intending to take him on board as a hostage for the restoration
of the cutter.
Captain Cook marched with the Marines into the village, where
he was respectfully received. He invited Tiriobu to spend the day
on board. He at once consented, and his two young sons ran down
to the beach and got into the pinnace. The rest of the party had
nearly reached the seaside when the king's wife ran after him and
entreated him not to go on board. At the same time two of the
chiefs laid hold of him and insisted upon his remaining, while an
immense crowd assembled along the shore. He sat down perplexed
and irresolute. Lieutenant Phillips formed the Marines on some
rocks near the water's edge. After vainly urging the king to come
with him Captain Cook abandoned his plan, and was walking down
1779.]
DEATH OF COOK.
141
to the boat. The boats stationed across the bay had fired at some
canoes, and, at this juncture, the news arrived that a chief had been
killed. The women and children were at once sent away, and the
men armed themselves. One of them flourished his spear and
threatened the Captain with a stone. The man persisting in his
insolence, the Captain fired a charge of small shot which fell harm-
lessly on the war mats. Stones were then thrown at the Marines,
and Captain Cook at length fired his second barrel loaded with ball,
H.M.S. " DISCOVERY
ONE OF THE VESSELS WHICH ACCOMPANIED COOK ON HIS LAST VOYAGE, 1776-79.
(From a drawing bij E. W. Cuoke, R.A., made when the "Discovery" lay at Deptfonl as a
convict hulk, 1829.)
and a native fell. There was a general discharge of stones, answered
by a volley from the Marines. The natives stood their ground, and
rushed upon the Marines with shouts and yells before the men could
reload. There was a scene of horror and confusion. Four Marines
were cut off and slaughtered, while the rest swam to the boat.
Captain Cook kept the savages at bay while he faced them. But,
when at the water's edge, he turned round and hailed the boat to
cease firing and pull in. This humanity proved fatal to him. He
142 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1702. [i779.
was stabbed in the back, and fell with his face in the water. The
body was dragged on shore by the yelling savages and lost sight
of in the crowd. A fire was opened from the boat, and some
guns were directed at the crowd from the Resolution, which at
length forced the savages to retire. Four young Midshipmen then
manned a small boat and pulled in to rescue any survivor, but no
one was to be seen. When Mr. Bligh brought the news to the
observatory, the foremast, and the sails which were under repair,
were brought off to the ships.
After some consultation, Captain Clark,1 who now assumed the
command, decided upon adopting a policy of extreme leniency,
though there was difficulty in restraining the officers and men.'
He ordered no reprisals to be made, even when the watering parties
were attacked. There was, however, a revulsion of feeling among
the natives, and eventually all that could be recovered of the great
navigator's body, including the skull and hands, with his shoes" and
the barrel of his gun, were given up. The remains were placed in a
coffin and committed to the deep with military honours.
Lieutenant King truly said that "after a life of so much
distinguished and successful enterprise, Captain Cook's death, as
far as regards himself, could not be reckoned premature." His
glorious career was suitably closed. He died in the midst of his
discoveries, and in the very act of humanely striving to protect
his murderers. It is not possible to conceive a more glorious end.
Lieutenant King went on to say : " Perhaps no science ever received
greater additions from the labours of a single man than c,eo-raphy
has done from those of Captain Cook. As a navigator his services
were not less splendid, certainly not less important and meritorious.
The method which he discovered, and so successfully pursued of
preserving the health of seamen, forms a new era in navigation,
and will transmit his name to future ages amongst the friends and
benefactors of mankind."
On the 20th, the foremast was stepped, and on the 22nd peace
was restored. The cutter had been broken up. The ships then
left this fatal spot and, after a cruise among the Sandwich Islands
they made sail for Kamschatka on the 15th of March, 1779, arriving
on the 28th of April at Petropaulovski. Another attempt was
made to penetrate the ice beyond Behring Strait, but it was aiven
tip m July, and on August 22nd Captain Clark died. Lieutenant
1 Com. Charles Clark had been posted on Feb. 10th, 1779.— \f I, f
1780-83.] DISCOVERIES BY H. E. I. CO.'S SHIPS. 143
John Gore (1) then assumed command of the expedition on board the
Resolution, and Lieutenant James King was given command of the
Discovery. Captain Clark was buried on shore at Petropaulovski.
Passing along the east coast of Japan, and visiting Macao, the
ships returned by the Cape. They were driven to the northward
when approaching the Channel, and anchored at Stromness in
the Orkney Islands, whence King was sent with dispatches to
the Admiralty. The Resolution and Discovery reached the Nore
on the 4th of October, 1780. There is a memorable fact connected
with Cook's third voyage which ought to be borne in mind,
especially at the present day. When the expedition sailed, the
insurgents in the American colonies had broken out into open
rebellion. The Declaration of Independence was on the 4th, the
departure of Cook's expedition on the 14th of July, 1776. The
French and Spaniards declared war in 1778, when Cook was
making discoveries in the icy seas. Thus was Great Britain
calmly employing her sons to explore the unknown regions of the
earth, for the advancement of civilisation and the good of man-
kind, at the very time when rebels and powerful enemies were
banded together for her destruction. When Captain Cook met
his glorious death in the midst of his discoveries Elliot was defying
the united forces of France and Spain on the rock of Gibraltar.
The necessity for repelling the attacks of enemies in front and of
rebels in rear, did not for a moment induce the country to abandon
her work of exploration and discovery.
At that period the ships of the East India Company were
making occasional discoveries. In August, 1783, the Antelope,
commanded by Henry Wilson, ran on a rock near one of the
Pelew Islands and became a wreck. The group had been sighted
by the Spaniards and others but it had never been explored
This was done by Wilson. He was very hospitably treated
by the natives, and the crew built a small vessel in which they
returned to Macao, taking with them a son of the king of the
Pelew Islands named Prince Libu. Wilson took him to England,
and he died of small-pox at Kotherhithe in December, 1784.
McCluer, an accomplished surveyor in the service of the East
India Company, was sent, with the Panther and Endeavour,
to announce the sad news to the father. He had with him
two officers, Wedgborough and White, who had both been
with Wilson in the Antelope. They had been educated at the
144 VOYAGES AND lUSCOVElilES, 1763-1792. [1789-91.
navigation school of Christ's Hospital, an institution which did
such useful work in training youths for the Navy and mercantile
marine in those days. Leaving Bombay in August, 1790, McCluer
reached the Pelew Islands in January, 1791, and performed
his melancholy task. He then proceeded to carry out the other
part of his instructions, which was to survey the north coast
of New Guinea. He was engaged 011 that work from July to
December, 1791, and he discovered the great inlet at the western
extremity which is still known as McCluer's Inlet. Returning to
the Pelew Islands he addressed a letter on service to Wedg-
borough, dated February, 1793, resigning his command of the
Panther, asking for arms and ammunition, which were given to
him, and announcing his intention to remain on shore. The
Panther returned to Bombay under the command of Wedg-
borough, while McCluer had wives and children and lived happily
for fifteen months. He then began to long for news, and went
in an open boat to Macao. There he got a vessel, returned
to the Pelew Islands, took his family on board, and went to
Bencoolen. He sailed from thence and was never heard of again.
Commander William Bligh's voyage in the Bounty to collect
plants of the bread-fruit tree at Tahiti, and convey them to the
West Indies, does not come within the category of voyages of dis-
covery ; and has been described in the preceding chapter. Bligh's
stern and austere character did not expose him to the risk of
succumbing to those temptations to which McCluer fell a victim.
But the majority of his people were much more susceptible.
After the mutiny in April, 1789, when Bligh was turned adrift
in an open boat with eighteen men, his wonderful voyage, con-
ducted with such extraordinary skill, almost amounted to an
expedition of discovery. For he sailed over more than 3600 miles
in three months before he reached Timor, and sighted several islands
which were previously unknown. Bligh reached England with
twelve survivors in March, 1790, and in .1791 he went out again
in the Providence, and at length successfully performed the service
of transporting bread-fruit plants from Tahiti to the West Indies.
When the news arrived in England of the seizure of Nootka
Sound by the Spaniards, negotiations were opened which ended
in the Spanish Government consenting to its restitution. The
British Government resolved to send a vessel to receive Nootka
Sound from the Spanish officials, and to complete a survey of that
1791.] VANCOUVER'S VOYAGE. 145
part of the North American coast. The Discovery was commis-
sioned, a new vessel of 350 tons, and the command was entrusted
to Commander George Vancouver,1 who had served as a Midship-
man under Captain Cook in the two last voyages, and afterwards in
the West Indies under Sir Alan Gardner. An armed tender named
the Chatham, of 135 tons, under the command of Lieutenant
William Eobert Broughton,2 was placed under his orders. Van-
couver received a written order signed by the Count of Florida
Blanca, Spanish Prime Minister, and addressed to the Spanish
authorities, ordering them to deliver up Nootka Sound to the
British officer who should present it to them. On the 1st of
April, 1791, the Discovery and Chatham left England.
Leaving the Cape on July 10th, Commander Vancouver dis-
covered King George's Sound, on the south-west coast of Australia,
in September, 1791, and proceeded thence to Dusky Bay in New
Zealand. He reached Tahiti in the end of December. The tender
had parted company in thick weather, discovering Chatham Island
in November, and rejoining the Discovery in December, 1791.
Vancouver, a man trained under the eye of Captain Cook, had
considerable ability and resolution, was a good sailor, and an accom-
plished surveyor. But some other qualifications for command were
wanting. He was austere and unsympathetic. The corporal
punishments on board the Discovery were excessive, and some of
the Midshipmen were treated with harshness and even cruelty. It
must, however, be admitted that young gentlemen such as Lord
Camelford 3 were not easy to manage.
In January, 1792, the Discovery left Tahiti and shaped a course
for the Sandwich Islands. On March 7th, Vancouver anchored at
Waititi Bay, near Honolulu, the present capital, in the island of
Oahu. He afterwards visited Kauai (Atooi), and found that,
although so short a time had elapsed since their discovery by
Captain Cook, several British subjects had already made their way
to the Sandwich Islands.
1 George Vancouver was a Commander of Dec. 15th, 1790, and a Captain of
Aug. 28th, 1794. He died in 1798.— W. L. C.
2 William Robert Broughton became a Captain on Jan. 28th, 1797, and died in
that rank on Mar. 12th, 1821.— W. L. C.
3 Thomas Pitt, Lord Camelford, born in 1775, was an officer whose eccentricities
bordered upon madness, and led him more than once into serious trouble. He attained
the rank of Commander in 1797, but resigned his commission, and was killed in a duel
in 1804.— W. L. C.
VOL. IV. L
146 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1792.
On the 17th of April, 1792, the expedition sighted the coast of
New Albion, near Cape Mendocino, and on the 29th the vessels
anchored within the strait of Juan de Fuca, on the southern shore.
Proceeding up the strait Vancouver again anchored in a harbour
which he named Port Discovery. During the month of May the
exploration of the strait was continued, and a deep inlet received the
name of Puget Sound, after one of the lieutenants.1 In June the
surveyors continued their discoveries within the strait to the north-
ward, in boats. They went through very severe work, and their
indefatigable exertions established the insularity of Vancouver's
Island by the discovery of a narrow channel, which received the
name of Johnstone's Strait, after the Master2 of the Chatham. In
July the ships passed through an archipelago which was called after
Lieutenant Broughton, who commanded the Chatham, and entered
Fitzhugh Sound, on the coast of the continent, to the north of
Vancouver's Island. This part of the coast had been visited by
English traders in 1786, who had given the names of Queen
Charlotte Sound and Fitzhugh Sound. On the 6th of August,
the Discovery suddenly grounded on a bed of sunken rocks in
Queen Charlotte Sound at the northern end of Vancouver's
Island. The Chatham sent all her boats, the stream anchor was
laid out, and an attempt was made to heave the ship off, but without
success. But when the tide rose the efforts of a well-directed crew
were rewarded and the ship was hove off. Luckily the water was
smooth and there was no swell. On the 28th of August, Commander
Vancouver safely arrived in Nootka Sound, and was cordially
received by the Spanish commandant, Don Juan Francisco de la
Bodega y Quadra. A storeship, the Dcedalus, had also arrived, but
she brought the unwelcome news that two of her officers 3 had been
murdered by the people of Oahu.
Nootka Sound had been occupied by the Spaniards, under orders
from the Viceroy of Mexico in 1789. Senor Quadra had instruc-
tions to deliver over the settlement, with all its buildings, to the
British. He was very anxious that some place should receive the
1 Peter Puget, a Captain of Apr. 29th, 17a7, became a Eear-Adm. ir> 1821, and died
in that rank. — W. L. C.
2 James Johnstone (2) was promoted during his absence to be a Lieutenant, became
a Commander on June 22nd, 1802, and was posted on Jan. 22nd, 1806. He was
afterwards Commissioner at Bombay.
3 Lieut. Kichard Hergest, commanding, and Mr. William Gooch, astronomer.
Hergest was a Lieut, of 1780.— W. L. C.
] 792-93.] VANCOUVER'S VOYAGE. 147
joint names of the British captain and himself. In compliance
with this request the whole island, on September 5th, 1792, received
the name of the Island of Quadra and Vancouver.
In October, Vancouver left Nootka Sound and proceeded to
examine the Spanish survey of the west coast of the island as far
as the strait of Juan de Fuca ; and in November he proceeded to
the port of San Francisco, containing " a variety of as excellent
harbours as the known world affords." No habitations were visible,
though the herds of cattle and flocks of sheep on the surrounding
hills indicated their existence. The inhabitants, it was afterwards
ascertained, consisted of thirty-five Spanish soldiers in the Presidio,
with some Indian servants and a few Franciscan monks. What a
marvellous change has since taken place ! The Spanish settlement
was only formed in 1775. Vancouver was enchanted with the
scenery when he rode into the country over twenty miles of what
he described as comparable only to an English park. From San
Francisco Vancouver proceeded to Monterey, where he found the
Chatham. Her commander, Lieutenant Broughton, had been en-
gaged in examining the Columbia River. From Monterey the
storeship Dcedalus l sailed for Port Jackson ; and in January, 1793,
Lieutenant Broughton was sent home with dispatches by the over-
land route across Mexico. Lieutenant Puget succeeded him in
command of the Chatham.
In February, 1793, Vancouver returned to the Sandwich Islands,
anchoring in Karakakoa Bay on the 22nd. The new king was the
famous Kamehameha I., who came on board in a magnificent
feather cloak and helmet, bringing numerous presents. He received
in return five cows, two ewes, and a ram ; and he gave all possible
facilities for refitting and provisioning the vessels. In March,
Vancouver proceeded to Oahu, where the murderers of the officers
of the Dcedalus were given up, tried, and executed. The islands
of Maui and Kauai were also visited, and in April Vancouver
returned to Nootka Sound to resume the survey of the North
American coast. The work was very intricate and laborious, and
a great deal of it was done in boats away from the ship. It was-
continued until October, extending as far as 56° 30' N. ; and in
November the Discovery went south, and revisited Monterey. In
December, the coast of California was examined as far as San Diego-
1 Under Lieut. James Hanson, who became a Commander in 1795, and was lost in
the Brazen, sloop, on Jan. 25th, 1800.— W. L. C.
L 2
148 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1763-1792. [1791-94.
in 34° 42' N. ; and Captain Vancouver gives a detailed account of
all the Spanish settlements and missions.
In January, 1794, Vancouver's expedition paid a third visit to
the Sandwich Islands,' again anchoring in Karakakoa Bay, and
receiving visits from King Kamehameha. His Majesty solemnly
ceded the island of Hawaii to the King of Great Britain, a cession
which Vancouver conceived it to be his duty to accept. He
then completed a survey of the other islands, and in March, 1794,
directed his course northwards, and reached Cook's Eiver in April.
Prince William Sound was surveyed by the boats ; and the survey
was then connected with the work of the preceding year. In August,
the surveys of the continental shores of north-western America were
completed, and the Discovery and Chatham proceeded to Nootka
Sound.
After a pleasant visit to Monterey, Captain Vancouver proceeded
southwards, having completed his arduous surveys. On December
14th, he sighted Cape San Lucas, the southernmost point of
the peninsula of California, and fixed its position. He then
visited the Tres Marias Islands on the coast of Mexico, and
passed Cape Corrientes on the 19th. Touching at the island
of Cocos, he next sighted the Galapagos ; and during the subse-
quent voyage to the Chilian coast, scurvy broke out in the ship.
This was a great mortification to Vancouver, who had endeavoured
to follow the precepts of Captain Cook ; but not with the same
vigilance, nor could he count upon the same obedience, incited
by respect and affection. The blame was thrown on the cook,
for allowing the men to have lard to mix with their peas. The
Discovery and Chatham arrived at Valparaiso on March 25th,
1795. Vancouver had orders not to put into any Spanish port
on the west coast of South America, except in a case of necessity,
but he considered that the damaged state of his mainmast justi-
fied the course he adopted. He was received with the greatest
hospitality by order of the enlightened Captain General of Chile,
Don Ambrosio O'Higgins ; and he at once proceeded to get the
mainmast out, and haul it up on the beach near the Almendral.
It proved to be sprung two-thirds through, a little below the hounds.
The mast was fished, but Captain Vancouver felt that " it would be
but a rotten stick to depend upon." The sails were repaired and
the ship refitted, while the Captain, with five of his officers, went up
to Santiago to pay his respects to the Captain General. Vancouver
1791-i)4.] VALUE OF NAVAL EXPLORATION. 14!>
gives some very interesting particulars respecting the origin and
services of Don Ambrosio, and describes the road to Santiago, and
the condition of the city as it was in 1795. On his return to
Valparaiso he found that his troubles had been increased in his-
absence by the discovery that the mainyard was rotten half through
and unfit for service. His only resource was to use the spare topsail
yard, lengthened by the yard arms of the condemned mainyard.
The work was done on shore, while the Captain drew up sailing
directions for the port. At length, on May 7th, 1795, the Discovery
departed from Valparaiso on her homeward voyage ; with the
Chatham in company. The Discovery arrived in the Thames on
the 20th of October, the Chatham having reached England three
days earlier. Notwithstanding the outbreak of scurvy, the Discovery
only lost six men, their deaths being all due to accidents, and the
Chatham not one, during a prolonged service of four years and nine
months.1
Captain Vancouver's narrative was published in 1798, in three
quarto volumes. The survey of the intricate inlets and channels-
along the north-west coast of North America, the discovery of the
straits and channels dividing Vancouver's Island from the continent,
and the examination of Puget Sound, the Colombia river, and the
Californian coast, form a service which reflects the highest credit on
Vancouver and his officers. Much of the work was done in open
boats, and in boisterous weather, privations and hardships of long
continuance had to be endured, yet the surveys were worthy of the
disciples of Captain Cook — they can receive no higher praise. It is
to the credit of our Government that these exploring operations
were steadily supported and continued through the first and most
critical period of our struggle with revolutionary France.
1 Among the officers, not already mentioned, of the Discovery and Chatham, were
Lieut. Zachary Mudge (who died an Admiral in the fifties); Lieut. Joseph Baker
(who died a Captain in 1817) ; Master's Mate Spelman Swaine (who died a retired
Rear-Adm. in 1848) ; Master's Mate Thomas Manby (who died a Rear-Adm. in 1834) ;
Midshipman Robert Barrie (who died Rear-Adm. Sir Robert Barrie in 1831) ; Midship-
man Volant Vashon Ballard (who died a Rear-Adm. in 1832) ; Master's Mate John
Sheriff (who was killed in 1806, Commander of the Curieux) ; and Midshipman John
Sykes (1) (who died an Admiral in 1858).— W. L. C.
( 150 )
CHAPTER XXXIV.
CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802.
Administration of the Navy — The succession of officials — Salaries of Commissioners —
Expenditure on the Navy — Number of seamen and Marines — Strength of the
effective fleet — Naval architecture — Some typical ships — Changes of armament —
Naval works —Manning — Bounties — Impressment — Allotment of pay — Deserters
— Officers — Half-pay — Servants — Conduct money — Surgeons' head-money —
Widows' pensions — Poor Knights of Windsor — Character of the officers — Prevalent
abuses — False certificates — Prize money — Points in prize law — Points in inter-
national law — The right of search — Contraband of war — Freight money — Discipline
— Mutinies — In the Cul!oden—Ia the Shark — At Spithead— At the Nore and in
the North Sea — Other examples — St. Vincent's sternness — The case of the Hermione
— Mutiny at the Cape — -Punishment of mutineers — The Marines — Naval uniform
— Medals — The Army and naval law — Morality of the lower deck — Prisoners of
war — Signal towers — Telegraphs — Sea Fencibles — The Hydrographer — The lloyal
Naval Hospitals — Various improvements — Admiralty fees — The Flag.
rilHE succession of the more impor-
tant administrative officers of the
Navy during the brief period 1793-1802
was as follows : —
SIGNATURE OF THE EARL OK
CHATHAM, FIRST LORD OF
THE ADMIRALTY, 1788-97.
FIRST LORD OF THE ADMIRALTY.
John, Earl of Chatham.
1797. Earl Spencer.
Feb. l!l, 1801. John, Earl St. Vincent, K.B., Admiral.
SECRETARY OF THE ADMIRALTY.
Sir Philip Stephens, Bart.
(As Assistant) John Ibbetson.
_ (Evan Nepean.
Mar. 3, 1785.<ti7-iv •»•• ^ /,-> i o \
(William Marsden (2nd. Sec.).
TREASURER OF THE NAVY.
Et. Hon. Henry Dundas.
1800. Rt. Hon. Dudley Eider.
Nov.. 21, 1801. Et. Hon. Charles Bragge.
CONTROLLER OK THE NAVY.
Sir Henry Martin, Bart.,
Captain, E.N.
Aug. 30, 1794. Sir Andrew SuapeHamoud,
Bart., Captain, R.N.
1793-1802.]
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS.
151
DEPUTY CONTROLLER.
Aug. 1703. Edward Le Oras, Captain,
R.N.
Feb. 1794. Sir Andrew Snape Ha-
mond, Bart., Captain,
R.N.
Oct. 1794. Sir Samuel Marshall, Kt.,
Captain, R.N.
1796. Charles Hope, Captain,
R.N.
Jan. 1, 1801. Henry Duncan (1), Cap-
tain, R.N.
SURVEYORS OF THE NAVY.
i Edward Hunt.
\John Henslow.
, _nQ (Sir John Henslow, Kt.
Jan. 20, 1793.J:!.... .
\Williara Rule.
CLERK OK THE ACTS.
George Marsh.
This office ceased on Aug. 2,
1796.1
CONTROLLER OF THE TREASURER'S
ACCOUNTS.
George Rogers.
Thisofficeceasedou Aug. 2,
1796.1
CONTROLLER OF THE VICTUALLING
ACCOUNTS.
William Palmer.
This office ceased on Aug. 2,
1796.1
CONTROLLER OF THE STOREKEEPER'S
ACCOUNTS.
Sir William Bellingham,
Kt.
This office ceased on Aug. 2,
1796.1
EXTRA COMMISSIONERS.
Samuel Wallis, Captain,
R.N.
1793. Sir Andrew Snape Ha-
mond, Bart., Captain,
R.N.
Dec. 1793. Samuel Marshall, Captain,
R.N.
1793. Harry Harmood, Captain,
R.N.
July 1794. Charles Hope, Captain,
R.N.
This office, as such, ceased
on Aug. 2, 1796.1
COMMISSIONERS WITHOUT SPECIAL
FUNCTIONS.
June 25, 1796. George Marsh.
June 25, 1796. George Rogers (omitted
from patent of Nov. 23,
1801).
June 25, 1796. William Palmer.
June 25, 1796. Sir William Bellingham,
Bart.
June 25, 1796. Harry Harmood, Captain,
R.N.
June 25, 1796. Samuel Gambier, Captain,
R.N.
Jan. 1, 1801. Francis John Hart well,
Captain, R.N.
Nov. 9, 1801. Benjamin Tucker.
COMMISSIONERS AT H.M. DOCKYARDS, ETC.
Chatham.
Charles Proby, Captain,
R.N.
1799. Francis John Hartwell,
Captain, R.N.
Jan. 1, 1801. Charles Hope, Captain,
R.N.
(Until 1796 Sheerness Yard was under
the inspection of the Chatham
Commissioner.)
Portsmouth.
March 13, 1790. Sir Charles Saxton, Kt.
and Bart., Captain, R.N.
1 When these offices ceased, Commissioners, having no special branch to attend to,
•were appointed. By Order in Council of June 8th, 1796, it had been directed that,
instead of Commissioners presiding over distinct departments, Committees should be
formed.
152 CIVIL I1JSTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
Plymouth.
Nov. 13, 1789. Robert Fanslia we, Captain,
R.N.
Sheerness.
1796. Harry Harmood, Captain,
R.N.
Sept. 1796. Francis John Hartwell,
Captain, E.N.
June 28, 1799. Isaac Coffin, Captain, R.N.
Lisbon.
Sept. 1797. Isaac Coffin, Captain, R.N.
Gibraltar, Malta, e.tc.
1793. Harry Harmood, Captain,
R.N.
Nov. 1791. Andrew Sutherland, Cap-
tain, R.N.
1796. John Nicholson Inglefield,
Captain, R.N.
Jan. 1. 1801. Sir Alexander John Ball,
Bart., Captain, R.N.
Corsica.
Halifax, Nova Scotia.
Henry Duncan (1), Cap-
tain, R.N.
Jan. 1, 1801. John Nicholson Inglefield,
Captain, R.N.
COMMISSIONERS OF TRANSPORT.
Aug.
Sept.
("Hugh Cloberry Christian,
I Captain and Rear-Adm.
1794. < Philip Patton, Captainand
/ Rear-Adm.
V Ambrose Serle.
.Rupert George, Captain,
R.N.
John Schanck, Captain,
R.N.
1795.
William Albany Otway,
Captain, R.N.
John Marsh.
\Ambrose Serle.
Dec. 1798. Joseph Hunt (vice Marsh).
(At the Peace, Captain Schanck was
retired on a pension of £500 and
Mr. Hunt was transferred to the
Ordnance Department, leaving but
three Commissioners of Transport.)
HYDROGRAPHER.
1795. John Nicholson Inglefield,
Captain, R.N.
1796. Isaac Coffin, Captain, R.N. i Sept. 11, 1795. Alexander Dalrymple.
The salaries of the Commissioners at Chatham, Portsmouth,
and Plymouth, which, until 1801, were in each case £500 a year,
with £12 for paper and firing, were then increased to £1000. The
Commissioner at Sheerness was paid £800 a year until 1801, and
then £1000. The Lisbon Commissioner's pay was £1000. The
Commissioner for Malta, etc., received first £1000, and, in 1801,
£1200. The Commissioner at Corsica was paid £1000. The
Commissioner at Halifax received £1000 until 1801, and, thence-
forward, £1200. Each Commissioner of Transport received £1000
a year.
The total expenditure, as voted by Parliament for the Navy
from year to year, and the number of seamen and Marines
authorised, were : —
1793-1802.]
STRENGTH OF THE FLEET.
153
Year. " Extra." " Ordinary."
No. of Seamen Total Jsaval
and Marines. Supplies Granted.
£
£
£
1793
387,710 669,205
45,000
4,003,984
1794
547,310 i 558,021
85,000
5,525,331
1795
525,840
589,683
100,000
6,315,523
1796 708,400
624,152
110,000
7,613,552
1797 768,100
653,573
120,000
13,133,673'
1798 639,530
689,858
120.000
13,449,388
1799 693,750
1,119,063
120,000
13,654,013
1800 : 772,140
1,169,439
{2 moB.
11 moB.
120,000)
110,000)
13,619,079
1801
933,900
1,269,918
/ 3 mos.
\10 mos.
120,000\ ,„ .„_ nQ7
ISsioOo) 1(5, 577,037
{5 mos.
130,000
1802
773,500
1,365,524
1 mos.
88,000 11,833,570
7 mos.
70,000
1 Including £1,000,000 " fjr preventing the Increase of the debt of the Navy," eU'.
The fluctuations in the strength of the effective fleet are thus
summarised from the annual abstracts compiled by Mr. James :—
CRUISING SHIPS, EXCLUSIVE OF HARBOUR AND STATIONARY VESSELS, TROOP AND
STORESHIPS, SHIPS BUILDING, ETC., AT THE BEGINNING OF EACH YEAR.
Class.
First-rates
Second-rates .
Third-rates .
Total of the line
Fourth-rates .
Fifth-rates . . .
Sixth-rates .
Sloops ....
Bombs ....
Fireship;
Brigs, cutters, e'tc. .
Grand total.
1793 1794
1795
1796
1797 1798
1799
1800 1801
1802
5
6
6
6
6 1 6
6
6
6
6
16
16
17
16
16
17
17
16
16
16
92
95
91
94
94 97
102
101
105
104
113
117
114
116
116
120
125
123
127
126
12
12
12
21
16
16
14
14
13
13
79
84
102
106
115
123
117
112
113
120
35
36
35
37
40
41
42
34
34
28
40
53
62
84
91
94
98
107
104
98
2
2
2
2
2
11
15
15
14
14
5
3
3
3
3
3
7
7
3
2
18
21
33
36
52
94
99
97 103
104
304
328
363
405
435
502
517 509 511
505
The total tonnage of the vessels enumerated above was, in
1793, 295,409, and, in 1802, 416,566.
Concerning the shipbuilding of the period 1793-1802, there is
little that needs saying. Naval architecture underwent but small
changes. In 1794, the Admiralty directed that frigates, from the
18-pounder 32 's upwards, should in future be constructed with
four-inch instead of three-inch bottoms. It was also at about the
same time decided to give ships of war greater length in proportion
154 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
to their beam than had been customary in Great Britain, and to
raise the lower batteries in new vessels of the higher rates. Fir,
as a material for hulls, was reintroduced for sloops in 1796, after
it had been disused since 1757 ; and in 1797 seven frigates, with
hulls of the same wood, were under construction.
Details of some of the most typical and important ships added
to the Navy in 1793-1802 are given in the accompanying table : —
Name.
Length of
Beam.
Depth of
Hold.
I
1
o
When and Where Built, or how
Acquired, etc.
Gnu Deck. Ke
el.
Ft.
to.
Ft.
In.
Ft.
In.
Ft. In.
Villc de Paris .
190
0
156
1J
63
0
22 4
2332
850
110
j Built at Chatham, 1795: design by
{ Heuslow.
t'dmmercede .l.'a?--'
settles . . ..
208
4
172
Ok
54
94
25 04
2747
875
120
Taken at Toulon, 1793.
Sun Josef. . .
194
3
156
llj
54
3
24 3
2457
840
112
Taken from the Spaniards, 1797.
Dreadnought
185
0
152
64
51
0
21 6
2111
750
98
(Built at Portsmouth, 1801 : design
I by Heuslow.
t'inulroyant . .
184
0
151
54
50
6
22 6
2055
600
80
(Built at Plymouth, 1798: design
I by Heuslow.
Canopus .
197
7
160
8
51
0
23 3
2223
718
80
(Taken from the French, 1798: ex
I Franklin.
Mars ....
176
0
144
3
49
0
20 0
1842
600
74
(Built at Deptford, 1794: design by
\ Heuslow.
KelleMe . . .
184
5
149
5i
48
9
21 74
1889
690
74
(Taken from the French, 1795: ex
I Formidable.
San Isidro .
176
0
144
1
48
11
20 1
1836
590
74
Taken from the Spaniards, 1797.
Yrijheid . . .
167
7
138
5
46
3
18 9
1562
72 Taken from the Dutch, 1797.
Alwltkir .
185
B
150
5
48
4
21 0
1869
74
(Taken from the French, 1798: ex
I Aqitilon.
Courageux .
181
1
150
9*
47
1
19 10
1772
590
74
Built at Deptford, 1800.
York ....
' 174
3
144
4
43
2
19 7
1433
64
Built in the 'J hames, 1796.
A'imiral de Tries
157
5
128
0
44
S
16 2
1360
490
64
Taken from the Dutch, 1797.
Troinp.
10
117
10
40
9
15 3
1040
420
60
(Taken from the Dutch, 1797 : ex
I M. II. Tiomp.
itiomede .
131
0
124
74
41
0
17 8
1H4
350
50
Built at Deptford. 1798.
Pomone .
159
22
132
4*
41
HI
12 4
1239
300
44
Taken from the French, 1794.
Pandour .
134
3
10S
11
39
3
15 2
894
300
44
(Taken from the Dutch, 1799: ex
\ {lector.
Sfine ....
156
9
131
4
^0
6
12 4
1146
280
40
(Taken from the French, 1798, as
I a 42.
Endym ion
159
3
132
3
42
7
12 4
1277
320
40
Built iu the Thames, 1797.
liiivolutlonnaire.
157
2
131
10
40
54
12 6
1148
290
38
Taken from the French, 1794.
Fishguard
160
0
134
2
40
8
13 3
1182
280
38
(Taken from the French, 1797: ex
1 ftf'sisttnice.
Hussar
ICO
3
125
8
39
6
13 9
1043
280
38
Built at Woolwich, 1799.
Reunion .
144
0
118
4{
38
104
12 1
951
255
36
Taken from the French, 1793.
Penelope .
150
0
125
4
39
8
13 0
1051
260
36
Built at Bursledou, 1798.
Immortalitf .
145
2
123
10
39
2
11 5
1010
260
88
(Taken from the French, 1793, aa
» a 42.
Jttha lion .
152
0
129
2
38
0
13 0
992
250
36 Built at Woolwich, 1802.
Janus ....
133
1
110
7
35
8
12 0
740
200
j Taken from the Dutch, 1796 : ex
Unite ....
142
5
118
5
37
8
11 0
893
250
32
(Taken from the French, 1796, as
I a 38.
Pique ....
146
7
123
1
39
7
11 10
1028
270
32
(Taken from the French, 1800 : ex
\ Pullas, 40.
Tartar
142
2
118
5
37
6
12 6
886
260
32
(Built at Friudsbury, 1801 : design
I by Henslow.
Braak. . . .
116
6
95
8
34
8
10 6
613
150
,. (Taken from the Dutch, 1799: ex
* I Miner ra.
Bourdelais .
138
6
116
6
31
9
15 1
62:>
190
24
(Taken from the French, 1799 (a
1 privateer).
Xabct ....
119
3
99
5t
31
1
9 44
511
170
20
Taken from the French, 1794.
Heureux .
127
8
102
9
33
1
16 2
598
150
20
(Taken from the French, 1799 (a
I privateer).
Swift ....
100
0
81
11*
27
6
13 6
3.9
100
16
Built at Portsmouth, 1793.
Hornet
108
4
90
98
29
7
9 0
423
125
16
Built in the Thames, 1794.
Bonne Citoycnne
120
1
100
6
30
11
8 7
511
120
20
Taken from the French, 1796.
Arrow.
128
8
30
0
7 11
386
120
18
Built at Kedbridge, 1796.
Havik. . . .
101
10
83
5
25
8
12 9
365
1 0
18
Taken from the Dutch, 1796.
Lutine.
145
2
121
8
39
0
11 6
332
120
18
Taken from the French, 1798.
Attack, gunboat .
Firm, gunboat .
Hecate, gunboat .
75
96
76
OJ
0
0
62
77
02
3
31
22
U
0
6
7 0|
7 4
8 3
147
397
168
50
100
1
12
16
12
Built at Frindsbury, 1794.
Built at Deptford, 1794.
Built at Frindsbury, 1797.
1793-1802.] CARRONADE ARMAMENTS. 155
More important changes were made in the arming of ships,
especially in the direction of the increased employment of car-
ronades. In 1794, when the Albion, 74, and Nonsuch, 64, were
fitted as floating batteries, they were given, the one twenty-eight,
and the other twenty 68-pounder carronades ; and, at about the
same time, many of the smaller vessels, which could have carried
no bigger long guns than 3 or 4-pounders in equal numbers, were
armed almost exclusively with 18-pounder carronades, to the great
improvement of their fighting value at short range. On November
19th, 1794, indeed, a new establishment of carronades, superseding
that of 1779, was adopted ; but seeing that many Captains preferred,
and were allowed to have, in lieu of long guns, more carronades
than the establishment, and seeing also that many ships then in
commission retained their old armament until long afterwards, it
is of little use to give it at length. On August 28th, 1795, every
ship bigger than a 16-gun brig was ordered to be supplied with a
carronade for her launch ; and on March 17th, 1798, it was further
ordered that every line-of -battle ship coming forward to be fitted
should be prepared to receive carronades all along her quarter-deck
and forecastle, except in way of the shrouds. In the same year,
six out of eight bomb-vessels, which had been purchased in 1797,
were ordered to be fitted with eight 24-pounder carronades each,
instead of with eight long 6-pounders as previously. In 1799 the
carronade was made the general quarter-deck and forecastle gun in
frigates. And on February 21st, 1800, it was directed that for the
future all ships of twenty-four and twenty guns should be fitted
on the main deck for 32-pounder carronades in place of the long
9-pounders, which up to that time had been carried.
To consider all suggestions with relation to building, fitting out,
arming, navigating, and victualling H.M.'s ships, as well as with
relation to docks, basins, buildings, etc., the office of Inspector-
General of his Majesty's Naval Works was established on March 28th,
1796, and General Bentham was appointed to it, with a technical
staff to assist him.
Very soon after the commencement of the war with revolutionary
France, difficulty began to be experienced in obtaining the required
number of seamen for the manning the ileet. Even in 1793, before
war had been actually declared, the City of London deemed it
desirable to supplement the usual royal bounty by offering forty
shillings to every able seaman, and twenty shillings to every
156 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
ordinary seaman who should voluntarily enter the service ; and,
when the war had been in progress for less than eighteen months,
the Lord Mayor opened a subscription with the object of giving
additional bounties as follows : to every able-bodied seaman,
JtlO 10s. ; to every ordinary seaman, £S 8s. ; to every landsman,
£6 6s. ; and to boys, according to height, etc., i'2 2s. and £1 Is.
Yet these extra bounties, large though they were, were quickly
exceeded, and in 1795 many seaport towns were offering as much
as ;£30 a head to able seamen. Bounties alone failed, however, to
attract all the men who were needed. Parliament had to take
action, and the position of the seamen had to be in some measure
improved ere those who were wanted could be secured ; and this
in spite of the press, of the engagement of numerous foreigners,
especially Americans, and of the practice which obtained of per-
mitting to certain offenders the option of joining the Navy or going
to prison. On March 5th, 1795, an Act was passed for raising men
in every county in England and Wales in proportion to its popula-
tion, the quota rising from 23 in the case of Rutland, and 33 in
the case of Flintshire, to 451 in the case of Middlesex, 589 in that
of Lancashire, and 1081 in that of Yorkshire. And on April 16th
following, another Act was passed for obliging the ports also to
contribute, and for laying an embargo on all British shipping until
the assigned quota should be provided. Under this Act there were
demanded from Bristol, 666 ; from the Clyde, 683 ; from Newcastle,
1240 ; from Liverpool, 1711 ; and from London 5704 men. The
Act which applied to the counties was designed to raise 9764, and
the Act which applied to the ports, 20,354 men. To render the
Navy more attractive than it had been, Acts were also passed
in 1795 to enable men who had voluntarily entered the service
to allot part of their pay l for the maintenance of their wives and
families, this to be paid every lunar month upon production of
a properly signed and witnessed ticket ; to enable Boatswains,
Gunners, and Carpenters to similarly allot ; and to reduce the
postage of letters to or from seamen on board men-of-war in all
parts of the world to one penny. These concessions, no doubt,
contributed to make the service a little less unpleasant than it
had been previously ; but they did not touch the more serious
causes of discontent, which, as will be seen, led during the war
1 An able seaman, 5rf. ; an ordinary seaman or a landsman, 4d. ; and a Marine, 3d.
\*>r diem.
1793-1802.] ALTERATIONS OF PAY. 157
to graver and more frequent outbreaks of mutiny and insubordina-
tion than the Royal Navy has ever witnessed before or since. Nor
did they, one may safely conclude, induce the right kind of men
to flock on board his Majesty's ships in the large numbers which
the exigencies of the times demanded ; for, as late as 1801, a royal
proclamation was issued, offering a pardon to all seamen or Marines
who should surrender themselves as deserters before September 1st
in that year, and assuring to all seamen who had deserted, but who
had re-enlisted, and who were then borne in any of his Majesty's
ships, the payment of wages due to them at the time of their
desertion.
There seems never to have been any corresponding difficulty in
obtaining as many officers as were needed ; yet quite as much was
done during the period to increase the attractiveness of the quarter-
deck as was done to make the lower deck more tolerable. Indeed,
upon the whole, the officers fared better than the men at the hands
of the authorities. An Act of 1795 permitted all flag-officers,
Captains, Commanders, Lieutenants, Masters, and Surgeons, upon
being appointed to ships from half-pay, to apply for three months'
pay in advance ; and it entitled officers on half-pay to have their
pay remitted to them free of expense. It also entitled pensioned
widows of officers to have their pensions similarly remitted to
them. An Order in Council, of September 21st, 1796, raised the
pay and half-pay of the Lieutenants, and conceded other benefits
to the same officers, as follows : Lieutenants of ships bearing a
flag or a broad pennant, and having also a Captain, were given
5s. 6d. a day, .and Lieutenants of other ships, 5s. a day, with one
servant apiece as before ; and Lieutenants commanding his Majesty's
vessels were granted two servants. All these officers, moreover,
were allowed conduct money at the rate of 6d. a mile, whenever
called upon for service. The half-pay of the Lieutenants was
settled at : for the first hundred, 5s. a day each ; for the second
hundred, 3s. 6d. a day each ; and for the rest, 3s. a day each. It
was at the same time directed that the first fifty Lieutenants on the
list should be superannuated with the rank of Commander, and
should receive 6s. a day, and that the widow of any such should
be entitled to a pension of £45 a year.
The position of the Masters was improved in 1795, when, by
an order of August 8th, they were granted half -pay, subject to
their possession of certain qualifications, at the rate of from 2s.
158 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
to 4s. a day, according to their seniority. It was at the same
time directed that those of them who were entitled to super-
annuation should receive pensions upon the scale of half-pay.
Somewhat similar advantages were extended to the Surgeons, whose
half-pay, subject to certain conditions, was fixed at from 2s. 6d. to
5s. a day, according to their seniority. Surgeons had, up to 1795,
been allowed 15s. per patient for the cure of venereal diseases.
In lieu of this, under regulations then introduced, £5 a year was
allowed to a Surgeon for every hundred men borne in his ship ;
£5 a year in cases where the number borne was less than one
hundred and exceeded fifty ; and £4 a year in cases where the
number borne was less than fifty. Widows of Masters and
Surgeons were, under the same regulations, entitled to pensions
of £30 a year, provided their husbands had been upon the half-
pay list.
Under the will of Mr. Samuel Travers, who, in 1724, had left a
residuary estate in trust for building or buying a house near
Windsor Castle for the reception of superannuated or disabled
Lieutenants, being single men of blameless character, the first seven
Poor Knights of Windsor were appointed by the King on November
27th, 1795. These officers benefited to the extent of £60 a year
each, £-26 of that sum being applied to " keeping them a constant
table." The seven officers thus chosen as the earliest recipients
of the charity, and the dates of their commissions as Lieutenants,
were : William Haygarth, 1757 ; George Trussell, 1761 ; John
Bowen, 1762 ; Alexander Brown, 1765 ; Ambrose Warham, 1778 ;
William Bampton, 1781 ; and William Elliott, 1781. There were
then many older Lieutenants on the list ; but the will of Mr. Travers
did not contemplate the appointment of officers merely on the
ground of length of service. It directed, on the contrary, that
twenty-one names should be submitted by the Commissioners of the
Navy to the Lords of the Admiralty, and that, of these, fourteen
should be submitted by the Lords of the Admiralty to the King,
who should be prayed to select the seven to be appointed.
The naval officers of the period were, as a rule, men of higher
character and finer feelings than those of the early part of the
eighteenth century ; but a vast number of abuses still flourished
among them ; and the records of the courts-martial of the time
seem to prove that the sense of honour throughout the higher
ranks of the Navy was not nearly so keen as it afterwards became.
1793-1802.] NAVAL ABUSES. 159
Lieutenant William Walker,1 of the Sparkler, gun-vessel, who, on
July 2nd, 1800, was dismissed the service, was a type of too many
Lieutenants, Commanders, and Captains of his day. According
to the verdict of the court-martial, he had repeatedly answered,
at the time of muster, for men who had run, declaring that they
were on liberty ; he had answered for his own child, aged one
year, whom he had rated as an A.B., saying that he was on duty
ashore ; he had sent a member of the ship's company, under the
assumed name of William Walker, his aforesaid son, to receive
£5 bounty money at Portsmouth ; he had deprived his people of
fresh provisions, and had himself drawn the provisions for his
own table while he was on shore ; and he had drawn provisions
for his full complement of fifty men, when he had less than that
number on board. Some, even among the most gallant officers in
the service, were guilty of extraordinary brutality to their men.
Captain Sir Edward Hamilton, the hero of the heroic recapture of
the Hermione, was tried on board the Gladiator, on January 22nd,
1802, and sentenced to be dismissed the service, for having seized up
William Bowman, gunner of the Trent, in the main rigging for an
hour and a half in frosty weather until the man, who was old,
fainted. Sir Edward was reinstated in his rank in the following
June, it appearing that he had acted in the heat of passion, and that
there had been some informality in the procedure ; but there can be
no doubt that cases of the sort were terribly common at the time,
and that far too frequently they went entirely unpunished. A
common abuse was struck at by an order of July 1st, 1801, which
directed that for the future all naval officers who might come ashore
on sick-quarter tickets, should go to the officers' wards in one of the
Eoyal Naval Hospitals, and not to private lodgings.
Other prevalent abuses were the outcome of the regulations
which existed as to officers' servants. An order of April 16th,
1794, ranged these servants in three classes, officers being allowed
in respect of each servant £11 8s. 2d. a year, being the nett wages
to which such servants were entitled. The classes were : (1),
Young gentlemen, not under eleven years of age, who were in-
tended for the sea-service, and who were styled volunteers ; (2),
boys of between fifteen and seventeen years of age, intended to
become seamen; and (3), boys of between thirteen and fifteen years
of age, intended to do actual duty as servants. It became a
1 C. M. in Gladiator, at Portsmouth.
160 CIVIL HISTORY Of THE SOYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
common practice to bear upon a ship's books young gentlemen
who, besides being much under eleven years of age, were still in
the nursery at home, or were at school ; and to bear, nominally
as seamen-boys or as working servants— and to the prejudice of
those classes — youngsters who were designed for the quarter-deck.1
Nor is it any exaggeration to say that very few naval officers of
the period now under consideration considered it in the least dis-
honourable— unless they chanced to be found out and punished —
to make, or to connive at the making of, false statements on certain
subjects. False certificates of age were, indeed, generally winked
at. Under the instructions which held good during the eighteenth
century, no one was to be made a Lieutenant who had not passed
his examination ; and the examining officers were required to
certify, among other things, that the candidate had served six
years at sea, two of them being as Midshipman or Mate in his
Majesty's ships, and was not under twenty years of age. These
instructions were, as Professor Laughton says, systematically evaded,
and little boys in the nursery or at school were borne on the books
of a ship for a time, which was afterwards counted towards the
stipulated six years.2 It ultimately became the fashion for the
candidate for examination to present a baptismal certificate as
evidence of age ; and then, if the age was not really sufficient, the
certificate was unblushingly forged. Says Admiral the Hon. Sir
George Elliot:—
" In July, 1800, having completed my six years' servitude, I was sent, with nine
other Midshipmen, to London, to pass the necessary examination for a Lieutenant's
commission. Our examinations before the old Commissioners of the Navy were not
severe ; but we were called on to produce certificates that we were all twenty-one years
of age — I was sixteen and four days. The old porter in the hall furnished them at 5s.
apiece, which, no doubt, the old Commissioners knew; for, on our return with them,
they remarked that the ink had not dried in twenty-one years."
Barrington had been certified as " more than twenty " in 1745,
when, in fact, he was only sixteen; Nelson had been certified as
" more than twenty " in 1777, when, in fact, he was less than
nineteen ; but there were many far more flagrant cases than these.
The distinguished officer who afterwards became known as Sir
1 Adm. Sir John Louis was borne as a first-class volunteer in the Minotaur before
he was eleven ; Adm. of the Fleet Sir Thomas John Cochrane was borne as a first-class
volunteer in the Thetis when he was seven ; and the name of the second Lord Radstock
was borne in the Courageux when the boy, aged eight, was at home or at school.
Instances of the kind may be multiplied almost to infinity.
3 ' Study of Nav. Hist.' (Roy. U. S. Inst. 1896).
1793-1802.] PRIZE LAW. 161
Thomas Boulden Thompson, Bart., was actually commissioned as a
Lieutenant when, according to family records, he was six weeks less
than sixteen years of age; and that undistinguished officer, the Hon.
John Eodney, by the interest and connivance of his father, Lord
Eodney, not only became a Lieutenant at the immature age of fifteen
years and four months, but was a full-blown Post-Captain five weeks
later.1 There were examples almost as glaring in the period 1793-
1802 ; and even Admiral of the Fleet Sir Provo William Parry
Wallis, who died as recently as February 10th, 1892, was borne on
more than one ship's books while he was still in the nursery, and
was a Lieutenant long before he was twenty.
For seamen, and especially for officers, all questions connected
with the distribution of prize-money possessed great interest during
the French wars, for, although a seaman's share of prize-money
came to him merely as a small, though welcome, addition to his
wages, an officer's share not infrequently amounted to many times
as much as his pay, and often, changing a poor man into a wealthy
one, enabled him to buy an estate and found a family. The lower
deck was chiefly anxious for prompt payment of whatever prize-
money happened to be due to it. This was recognised, after the
Battle of the Glorious First of June, by the King, who, with much
forethought, ordered that the following proportion of prize-money
should be immediately advanced in respect of the captures in that
engagement, viz., to each warrant officer, £20 ; to each petty officer,
£10 10s. ; and to each seaman, Marine and soldier, £2 2s. But
more difficult problems often arose to trouble the minds of officers
whose interests were less superficially affected. A case in point
arose in 1794, when Captain Francis Laforey, in the Carysfort,
recaptured H.M.S. Castor, which had been taken nineteen days
earlier, and commissioned by the French. Upon the arrival of the
prize in port, she was claimed by the Commissioners of the Navy as
belonging of right to the King. The French captain, upon being
interrogated, said that he had been appointed to command the Castor
by the French admiral, who had given him a commission to do so as-
commander of a man-of-war in the service of the Republic ; and that
the admiral in question had power and authority to condemn prizes,
and to arm, equip, and commission such ships as he might capture,
without first sending them to France to be formally condemned
1 Hon. John Eodney. Born, May 10th, 1765. Lieutenant, September 10th, 1780.
Post-Captain, October 14th, 1780.
VOL. IV. ?,I
162 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
there. The point for decision was, therefore, whether, in the cir-
cumstances, the re-captors had merely re-taken a British vessel, or
whether they had, in effect, taken a French one ; whether, in fact,
they were entitled to salvage only,1 or to the whole of the prize.
Sir James Harriot, Judge of the High Court of Admiralty, relied
upon a clause in the Prize Act, which declared that, " If any ship
or vessel retaken shall appear to have been, after the taking of his
Majesty's enemies, by them set forth as a ship of war, the said ship
or vessel shall not be restored to the former owners or proprietors,
but shall, in all cases, whether retaken by his Majesty's ships, or by
any privateer, be adjudged a lawful prize for the benefit of the
captors " ; and he therefore adjudged the whole value of the Castor
to the captors.
Another interesting point in prize law was decided in 1795. A
very valuable French vessel had been taken without the firing of a
shot by several Bast Indiamen, on board of which, at the time of
the capture, there were many recruits and non-combatant pas-
sengers. The question for decision was whether these recruits and
passengers were entitled to share in the prize. The right of the
recruits was admitted with little demur, but although it was urged,
on behalf of the passengers, that the East India Company and its
commanders held all on board to be liable to the performance of duty
in case of action, and that the passengers had, by their presence,
assisted in overawing the foe, the judge decided against the pas-
sengers' claim, observing that it was certain that the women and
children had not intimidated the French, and that it was unlikely
that the gentlemen, who probably were looking through the cabin
windows with their hair full dressed, struck any terror into the
minds of the enemy.
Yet another point was decided in 1799. In 1781, Captain Evelyn
Button had commanded the Isis in the squadron of Commodore
Johnstone. After the action at Porto Praya, Johnstone had put
Sutton under arrest, and had appointed Captain the Hon. Thomas
Charles Lumley to command the Isis in his stead. The question
was whether Captain Lumley was entitled to share the prize-money
arising from captures made by the Isis while he was in command of
her during the arrest of Captain Sutton. Lord Kenyon decided that,
to all intents and purposes, Captain Sutton had been Captain of the
1 At that time, men-of-war effecting recaptures were entitled to one-eighth, and
privateers to one-sixth, of the value of ships so recaptured.
17U3-1802.] DROITS OF ADMIRALTY. 163
Isis so long as he remained entitled to pay as such, and had not
been displaced either by the Admiralty, or by sentence of court-
martial ; and that the fact of arrest — apart from that arrest having
been, as was proved, improper — had not displaced him. There could
be but one Captain of a ship at a time, and the Captain of the Isis,
at the moment of the making of the captures in question, was
undoubtedly Captain Sutton, He gave judgment accordingly.
In the same year, 1799, several other interesting cases were
determined. In January, it was decided that, when ships with
cargo on board were captured, even though the ships were com-
missioned and armed, the captors were not entitled to head money.1
A little later, Sir William Scott, in the case of the Rebecca, delivered
an important judgment touching the droits of Admiralty. The
Rebecca, having put into St. Marcou for safety, had been fired at
from a work on shore, and had struck her colours ; and she had then
ridden there a whole day before possession had been taken of her,
and until she had been boarded by a boat's crew from the fort,
which was held by the Navy. The Admiralty, claiming under a
grant confirmed by an Order in Council of 1665, urged that the law
gave to the Lord High Admiral, as his peculium, the benefit of all
captures made in roadsteads, creeks, or havens. The captors
declared that the capture was made by naval officers in their naval
character, and that, therefore, it was, prinia facie, acquired to the
King, and, through him, to the actual captors. They submitted that
the place of capture was not a port or haven ; and they contended
that there was no proof that the vessel had anchored when she
struck her colours. Sir William Scott admitted that the Lord High
Admiral was entitled under the grant to the benefit of captures " of
all ships and goods coming into ports, creeks or roads of England or
Ireland, unless they came in voluntarily upon revolt, or were driven
in by the King's cruisers," and that usage had extended the area of
the Lord High Admiral's rights in that matter from England and
Ireland to all the dominions thereunto belonging. But he could not
admit that a road or roadstead within the meaning of the grant
existed wherever a ship could find anchorage ground. " For," he
continued, " if that be so, the Lord High Admiral would be entitled
to all captures made within a moderate distance of most parts of the
coasts of England and Ireland, and the foreign dominions belonging
to them, which, assuredly, is not the case ; for who would say that,
1 ' Admlty. Reps.' i. 157.
M 2
164 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
if a ship at anchor in the channel of Dover be seized by a com-
missioned cruiser, the Lord High Admiral is entitled? Every
anchorage ground is not a roadstead. A roadstead is a known
general station for ships, static tutissima nautis, notoriously used as
such, and distinguished by the name, and not every spot where an
anchor will find bottom and fix itself." The judge was inclined to
think that St. Marcou possessed no road. He was not sure, more-
over, that St. Marcou, occupied temporarily as a mere naval station
for the convenience of a couple of small vessels, could be recognised
as a possession of the Crown of England within the meaning of the
grant ; but, leaving those points undecided, he preferred to base his
decision upon the consideration whether, at the time of her sur-
render, or deditio, the vessel had entered the alleged road or not.
She had struck upon being fired at. She had not then anchored ;
but, ere being taken possession of, she had anchored. He must
regard the effective deditio as dating from the moment of striking—
a moment at which the vessel had, it was admitted, not taken up
any anchorage. Nothing had occurred after the deditio to prejudice
it. The Erench had not, for example, attempted to defeat the
surrender. The formal submission had never been discontinued or
reversed. Therefore, he must hold that the ship had not entered
any road when she was captured. The Admiralty might claim that
the capture had been made from the land, and by a land force.
There might possibly be something to say in favour of such a
contention in certain cases. A vessel compelled to strike by the fire
from. Dover Castle would be a droit of Admiralty.
" I likewise," he went on, " think that cases may occur in which naval persons,
having a real authority to take upon the sea for their own advantage, may yet entitle
the Admiralty and not themselves, by a capture made upon the sea by the use of a
force stationed upon the land. Suppose the crew, or part of the crew of a man-of-war
were landed, and descried a ship of the enemy at sea ; and that they took possession of
any battery or fort upon the shore, such as may be met with in many parts of the coast,
and, by means of such battery or fort, compelled such a ship to strike ; I have no
doubt that such a capture, though made by persons having naval commissions, yet
being made by means of a force upon the land, which they employed accidentally, and
without any right under their commission, would be a droit of Admiralty, and nothing
more."
But at St. Marcou there was no garrison or military establishment ;
it was occupied entirely as a temporary naval station. Everyone in
it was borne upon some ship's books, and was victualled from a
ship, and such defences as existed had been made by the Navy, and
mounted with ships' guns, or with spare guns specially procured.
1793-1802.] INTERNATIONAL LAW. 165
The judge, therefore, considered St. Marcou as a part or appendage
of the Navy, as a sort of stationary tender, and he held that the
capture was a regular maritime one, effected in a spot where the
right of Admiralty had not begun. He consequently pronounced in
favour of the captors.1
In the same year, Sir William Scott decided a case involving the
right of the Army to share with the Navy in the distribution of prize-
money arising out of the capture of Dutch men-of-war in Saldanha
Bay, in August, 1796. He came to the conclusion that the case for
the Army could not be sustained. With regard to a claim on behalf
of several non-commissioned East India ships for an interest in the
capture of the Cape of Good Hope, in June, 1795, Sir William Scott
concluded a lengthy judgment with the following words :—
" Upon the whole of these facts, I feel myself obliged to pronounce that it has not
been shown that these ships set out in an original military character, or that any
military character has been subsequently impressed upon them by the nature and
course of their employment; and therefore, however meritorious their services may
have been, and however entitled they may be to the gratitude of their country, it will
not entitle them to share in this valuable capture."
Some important questions of international, as well as of prize
law, arose during the period. In 1798, Captain Loring, of the
Carnatic, exercised a right which was claimed and exercised by
Great Britain for many years afterwards, and which was one of the
causes of the war of 1812-15, and stopped and searched an American
man-of-war off Havana for British sailors. This incident led to the
issue of the following letter by the Secretary of the United States
Navy : —
" Sir, — It is the positive command of the President that, in no pretence whatever,
you permit the public vessel of war under your command to be detained or searched,
nor any of the officers or men belonging to her to be taken from her by the ships or
vessels of any foreign nation, so long as you are in a capacity to repel such outrage on
the honour of the American flag. If force should be exerted to compel your sub-
mission, you are to resist that force to the utmost of your power ; and, when over-
powered by superior force, you are to strike your flag, and thus yield your vessel as
well as your men, but never your men without your vessel. You will remember,
however, that your demeanour be respectful and friendly to the vessels and people of all
nations in amity with the United States ; and that you avoid as carefully the
commission of, as the submission to, insult or injury. I have the honour to be your
obedient servant,
"BENJAMIN STODDAKT.
" Given at the Navy Department, Dec. 29, 1798.
" To the Commanders of armed vessels in the service of the United States."
1 Crews of the Sandfly and Badger.
166 CIVIL HISTORY OF TEE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
In a message sent to Congress on January 7th, 1800, the President,
after alluding to the same incident, concluded —
" It IH but justice to say that this is the first instance of misbehaviour of any of the
British officers towards our vessels of war that has come to my knowledge. According
to all the representations I have seen, the flag of the United States, and the officers and
men, have been treated by the civil and military authority of the British nation, in
Xova Scotia, the West India Islands, and on the ocean, with uniform civility,
politeness, and friendship. I have no doubt but that this first instance of misconduct
will be readily corrected."
A case arising out of the detention, and bringing into the Downs,
by Commodore John Lawford, in January, 1798, of a Swedish frigate
which had offered resistance to search for contraband of war, and of
her convoy, the latter laden with pitch, tar, hemp, deals and iron,
and bound, some to enemy's ports, and some elsewhere, was the
subject of a lengthy and learned judgment of Sir William Scott, in
1799. The points in dispute were too numerous and complicated to
be noticed here, but as the judgment is one which has since been
often cited, it may be well to mention that it is to be found at
length not only in the Admiralty Reports, but also in Schomberg.1
Yet another interesting question was decided by the Court of
Common Pleas on June 12th, 1800. The point was whether junior
Flag-officers were entitled to a share in the third of freight-money
which was allowed by the regulation to Commanders-in-Chief . The
case was brought before the court by Sir William Parker, on behalf
of himself and the junior Admirals in the fleet of Lord St. Vincent.
It was admitted that there was no law upon the subject ; it was a
point of usage and precedent. Admirals Wolseley, Lord Hotham,
Caldwell, Bligh, and Pole, and Captain Caleb O'Brien, gave evidence
in support of the alleged custom of the service as understood by Sir
William Parker. Admiral Lord Hood, and Mr. Alford, agent for
Lord St. Vincent, supported the opposite view. In the result, Lord
Eldon held that the usage was fully established, and the jury found
a verdict for the plaintiff. It would appear from the evidence given
in the case, that it was the practice for a Commander-in-Chief to
surrender one-third of his third to his junior, where he had but one
Flag-officer under him, and to surrender one-half of his third for
division among the juniors, when there happened to be two or more
of them in the fleet. Lord Hood, in the course of the proceedings,
appealed to Lord Hotham, who had served under him as junior
1 ' Nav. Chronol.' iii. 264-284.
1794.] MUTINY IN THE " OULLODEN." 167
Admiral in the Mediterranean, whether he had ever paid him a,
shilling of freight-money. "I kept it all myself," said Hood.
" You did, my lord," assented Hotham ; " but I thought that I was
entitled to a part of it." Howe seems to have invariably recognised
the existence of the usage.
One of the most painful features of the period under review is
the whole subject of the discipline of the Navy. Not only did nearly
everyone of these eight eventful years witness mutinous outbreaks
such as hardly ever before had disgraced the service ; not only was
mutiny more than once accompanied by murder and by treason ; but
also the disaffection became so general that, for a time, it threatened
to imperil the very existence of the country. At first, the outbreaks
were isolated ones. They occurred in ships commanded by Captains
of the best reputation, as well as in those commanded by Captains of
the worst ; and, although there were undoubtedly many excuses for
discontent upon the lower deck, it would almost seem as if the state
of unrest among the seamen was rather of the nature of an epidemic,
the germs of which were afloat in the air of the age, than the result
of any more obvious causes. In France, there had been a revolt
against all constituted authority. Britons, as a body, suffered little
from the infection from across the Channel ; but, in cases where
there was already a nidus favourable to the reception and propaga-
tion of the germs, some Britons caught the contagion in a very
severe form, and were as completely dominated by it as the most
susceptible of Frenchmen.1
Symptoms of trouble manifested themselves very soon after the
beginning of the war; but, perhaps, the first outbreak which in-
dicated the existence of an abnormal state of affairs in the Navy, was
a mutiny on board the Culloden, Captain Thomas Troubridge, in
December, 1794. The ship's company refused to proceed to sea.
Troubridge, who behaved with admirable firmness, seized the
ringleaders, and brought them to trial by court-martial on the 15th.2
Eight were sentenced to death, and, on January 13th following, five
of these were executed on board the Culloden at Spithead, the
remaining three receiving his Majesty's pardon. The outbreak in
the Windsor Castle at San Fiorenzo, in November, 1794, is noticed
1 There is a certain amount of evidence that some of the mutinies were assisted, if
not actually fomented, by French agents. See the curious revelations in Moreau de
Jonnes : ' Aventures de Guerre ' (Ed. 1858), i. 424-461.
2 The court first assembled in the Ctzsar at Spithead, and then adjourned to the
Stately, in Portsmouth Harbour.
168 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1797.
in the following chapter. It is to be regarded as of an altogether
different character from the mutiny in the Culloden, seeing that the
Windsor Castle's crew assigned as the reason for their action their
dislike to certain officers of the ship ; but it was, in all probability,
not without its effect upon the subsequent development of events,
for the mutineers, instead of being met firmly, were humoured in
the most extraordinary and indefensible way, and not only were
given new officers in place of those objected to, but also were
pardoned.
A very significant incident of 1795 was the mutiny of the crew
of the Dutch hoy Shark, 4. The mutineers carried the little craft
into La Hougue, and handed her over to the enemies of their country.
During 1796 the slumbering evil manifested itself only in compara-
tively mild forms ; but in 1797 there occurred several mutinies which
were of an altogether unexampled character among British seamen.
In February of that year petitions, purporting to come from
each of the line-of -battle ships at Portsmouth, were forwarded to
Lord Howe. No attention was paid to them. Early in March
the Channel Fleet put to sea for a cruise ; and, on its return to
port, the seamen, finding that their petitions had been ignored,
began a correspondence among themselves. The result of this
was a general agreement throughout the fleet that no ship belonging
to it should again weigh anchor so long as the alleged grievances
remained unredressed. The resolution bore its first fruit when,
on April 15th, Admiral Lord Bridport ordered the fleet to prepare
for sea. Thereupon the crew of the Queen Charlotte ran up the
shrouds, and, giving three cheers, the signal for mutiny, were
answered in like manner from every other ship.1 Attempts were
everywhere made to persuade the people to return to their duty ;
but in vain. On the 16th, two delegates from each ship were
chosen as representatives of the fleet, and the Admiral's cabin of
the Queen Charlotte was appointed as their place of meeting. On
the 17th, every man in the fleet was solemnly sworn to adhere to
the cause ; unpopular officers were set ashore : and ropes were
reeved at the fore-yardarm of many vessels, as a sign that the
mutineers were ready to proceed to extremities, and also, it may be,
that they were determined to preserve some sort of order among
1 The ships of the line thus implicated were : Royal George, Queen Charlotte,
Royal Sovereign, London, Glory, Duke, Mars, Marlborough, Ramillies, Robust,
Impetueux, Defence, Terrible, Pompee, Minotaur, and Defiance.
1797.] MUTINY AT SPITHEAD. 169
themselves. On the 18th, a committee of the Board of Admiralty,
consisting of Earl Spencer, Lord Arden, Kear-Admiral William
Young (1), and Mr. William Marsden, reached Portsmouth from
London, and made some ineffectual overtures to the mutineers. On
the 21st, Vice-Admirals Sir Alan Gardner and John Colpoys, and
Bear-Admiral Charles Morice Pole went out to the Queen Charlotte,
and had an interview with the delegates, but were assured that no
conclusive arrangement could be made unless it were duly sanctioned
by Parliament and the King, and were accompanied by a proclama-
tion of general pardon. This answer unfortunately led Sir Alan
Gardner to lose his temper and to lay hold of one of the delegates,
declaring that the man and all his associates, together with every fifth
seaman throughout the fleet, should be hanged. The consequence was
that only with difficulty did the Vice-Admiral escape alive. When the
delegates from the Boyal George returned to their ship and reported
what had occurred, a council of the leaders of the mutiny was
summoned on board that vessel, the signal being the hoisting of a red
flag. Utterly disgusted at the conduct of the fleet, Bridport struck
his flag, with the intention of never again hoisting it. Some kind of
personal apology having, however, been made to him, he rehoisted
his flag in the Eoyal George on the 23rd. In the meantime, the
mutineers had caused all the guns of the fleet to be loaded ; had
confined the remaining officers to their respective ships ; had ordered
the keeping of watches on board as if the fleet were at sea ; and
had despatched an explanatory letter to the Admiralty. Before
rehoisting his flag on April 23rd, Lord Bridport, addressing his
ship's company, informed the mutineers that a redress of all
grievances had been granted, and that he had with him the King's
pardon for the offenders.
The grievances set forth in the petitions of the seamen were
substantially as follows : that wages had not been raised since
the time of Charles II., when the necessaries of life, and slops of
all sorts, were 30 per cent, cheaper than in 1797 ; that the wages
of the Army had been augmented while those of the Navy had
not been increased ; that provisions were served out of short weight
and inferior quality ; that no vegetables were issued to ships in
port ; that the sick were insufficiently attended to, and that luxuries
intended for them were embezzled ; that liberty, within reasonable
and stipulated bounds, was not commonly enough granted to the
crews of ships in harbour ; and that men wounded in action were
170 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [17'JT.
deprived of their wages, pending cure or discharge.1 These
grievances were set forth in moderate language, and with many
professions of loyalty. The Committee of the Board of Admiralty
promptly undertook to recommend an increase of wages by the
addition of 4s. a lunar month to the pay of petty officers and able
seamen, of 3s. a month to the pay of ordinary seamen, and of 2s.
a month to the wages of landsmen ; and determined also that
seamen wounded in action should be continued in pay while their
wounds were healing, or until, being declared unserviceable, they
should be given a pension, or should be received into Greenwich
Hospital.2
The seamen protested against the drawing of any distinction
between ordinary seamen and landsmen — a distinction which, they
declared, had never before existed in the Navy ; and they pressed
for the raising of an able seaman's wages to Is. a day, and of
Marines', other seamen's, and petty officers' wages in proportion.
They asked, further, for the raising of Greenwich Hospital pensions
from £7 to £10 a year, and suggested that, to make good the
difference, merchant seamen should contribute Is. instead of &d.
a head a month to the Hospital funds, adding, " and as this, in
time of peace, must be paid by your petitioners, we trust it will
give a convincing proof of our disinterestedness and moderation."
They suggested, too, that the new advantages as to pensions should
be granted as well to seamen of the East India Company as to
those of the Royal Navy ; and asked that the provisions issued
should be at the rate of sixteen ounces to the pound of bread and
meat, with cheese, butter, and liquors in proportion, and with
vegetables as well, and that the quality should be better than in
the past, and that no flour should be issued with fresh beef.3
The Commissioners finally conceded an addition of 5s. 6d. a
month to the wages of petty officers and seamen, making an able
seaman's pay Is. a clay ; an addition of 4s. Gd. a month to the
wages of ordinary seamen ; an addition of 3s. 6d. a month to
the wages of landsmen ; the non-stoppage of shore allowances to
Marines when embarked ; the issue of full weight of provisions,
without deduction for leakage or waste ; and, pending the com-
pletion of arrangements to that end, the payment of short-allowance
money in respect of deductions ; and the payment of full wages
1 Petition of April 18th, 1797. 2 CoramrB. to Bridjiort, April 18th, 1797.
3 Reply of April 19th, 1797.
1797.] MUTINY AT SP1THEAD. 171
to the wounded ; and they promised pardon to every ship's company
which, within an hour after being apprised of their Lordships'
resolutions, should return to its duty and cease to hold intercourse
with the mutineers.1 The seamen received these concessions with
satisfaction, but added : " But we beg to remind your Lordships
that it is a firm resolution that, until the flour in port be removed,
the vegetables and pensions augmented, the grievances of private
ships redressed, an Act passed, and his Majesty's most gracious
pardon for the fleet now lying at Spithead granted, the fleet will
not lift an anchor ; and this is the total and final answer." In
spite of this threat the Government contented itself with pro-
claiming a pardon, 'l and with regarding the affair as at an end.
But it was not at an end. Part of the fleet dropped down to
St. Helen's. When, however, on May 7th, Lord Bridport signalled
to weigh and put to sea, every ship's company refused to obey.
The men considered that the silence of the Government indicated
that the grievances which had not been specifically dealt with
by the Commissioners, were not to be redressed. They therefore
resolved to hold another meeting of delegates on board the London,
which still lay at Spithead ; and for that purpose their boats
proceeded alongside that ship. Vice-Admiral Colpoys, whose flag
flew in her, refused to allow them on board, and declared that
if they persisted he would order the Marines to fire at them. The
delegates did persist ; a scuffle ensued ; a delegate fired at and
wounded Lieutenant William Sims of the Marines ; the Marines
were ordered by the London's first Lieutenant to fire ; and five
seamen, including two delegates, were killed. An active mutiny
immediately broke out 011 board the London, and the seamen
obliged the officers and the Marines to surrender. They would
have hanged the first Lieutenant had not Vice-Admiral Colpoys
satisfied them that that officer had acted in pursuance of specific
instructions from the Admiralty. All the officers were confined
to their cabins, and the Marines were made prisoners. Similar
violence was displayed in other ships ; and most of the superior
officers who were strict disciplinarians were sent ashore. So things
went on until May 14th, when Lord Howe, armed with plenary
powers, arrived from London, bringing with him an Act of
Parliament, which had been passed on May 9th, in accordance
1 Commrs. to Bridport, April 20th, 1797.
2 Dated at Windsor, April 22nd, 1797.
172 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1797.
with the desires of the seamen, and a new proclamation of pardon
for all such as should return at once to their duty. The Act, the
proclamation, and Lord Howe's popularity and tact restored order
and discipline ; on the 15th the mutiny ceased ; and on the 16th
the Channel Fleet put to sea.
It was generally hoped and expected that there would be no
more trouble ; but within a day or two a new and more serious
mutiny broke out in the ships at the Nore and in the North Sea.
As before, the mutineers chose two delegates from each ship. In
addition, they appointed a man named Eichard Parker l president
of the delegates, and elected in every ship a committee of twelve
to manage the affairs of the vessel. On May 20th, the delegates
sent to Vice-Admiral Charles Buckner, Commander-in-Chief at
the Nore, the following statement of demands : —
" 1. That every indulgence granted to the fleet at Portsmouth be granted to his
Majesty's subjects serving in the fleet at the Nore and places adjacent.
"2. That every man, upon a ship's coming into harbour, shall have liberty (a
certain number at a time, so as not to injure the ship's duty) to go and see their friends
and families ; a convenient time to be allowed to each man.
" 3. That all ships, before they go to sea, shall be paid all arrears of wages, down to
six months, according to the old rules.
" 4. That no officer that has been turned out of any of his Majesty's ships shall be
employed in the same ship again without consent of the ship's company.
" 5. That when any of his Majesty's ships shall be paid that may have been some
time in commission, if there are any pressed men on board that may not be in the
regular course of payment, they shall receive two months' advance to furnish them
with necessaries.
"6. That an indemnification be- made any man who ran, and may now be in his
Majesty's service, and they shall not be liable to be taken up as deserters.
" 7. That a more equal distribution be made of prize-money to the crews of his
Majesty's ships and vessels of war.
" 8. That the Articles of War, as now enforced, require various alterations, several
of which ought to be expunged therefrom ; and, if more moderate ones were held forth
to the seamen In general, it would be the means of taking off that terror and prejudice
against his Majesty's service, on that account too frequently imbibed by seamen, from
entering voluntarily into the service."
The statement was forwarded to the Admiralty, which, on the
22nd, replied, refusing some of the demands, but promising forgive-
ness to the men if they would then return to duty. Vice-Admiral
Buckner delivered the answer to the delegates, and allowed them
ten minutes wherein to make up their minds concerning it. Instead
of submitting, the mutineers went into harbour in their boats, and
took thence all the gunboats which lay there. They then carried
1 At one time a Midshipman in the Navy ; court-martialled and reduced for mis-
behaviour, Dec. 12th, 1 793 ; discharged the service as insane, 1794.
1797.] MUTINY AT THE NORE. 173
them to the Nore ; and, as the boats passed the fort at Sheerness,
each of them, in defiance, fired a gun at it. The delegates informed
Vice-Admiral Buckner " that nothing could be settled until three
of the Board of Admiralty came down to Sheerness.'' On May 23rd,
they struck his flag on board the Sandioich, which was the head-
quarters of Parker, and hoisted instead of it the red flag of mutiny.
Moreover, they obliged every ship lying near Sheerness to drop
down to the Nore, where they concentrated their forces. Among
these ships was the San Fiorenzo, which had been fitted up for
the conveyance of the Princess of Wiirttemberg to Germany. Her
crew, however, was loyal, and, although the frigate was ordered
to lie close under the stern of the Sandwich, her captain, Sir Harry
Burrard Neale, found means, a few days later, to carry her un-
molested into Harwich.
On May 24th, the mutineers were again offered a conditional
pardon by the Admiralty, but Eichard Parker peremptorily refused
the conditions. Up to about that time the delegates and committee-
men were in the habit of landing daily at Sheerness, holding
meetings, and parading the streets with flags and music ; but the
arrival on the spot of Admiral Lord Keith and General Sir Charles
Grey, who were charged with enforcing naval and military measures
of repression, put a stop to those proceedings, and thenceforth the
mutineers visited the shore at their peril.
On May 26th, Admiral Duncan, whose orders were to watch
the Dutch coast, succeeded in putting to sea with the whole of
his squadron except the Montagu, 74, and Nassau, 64, which ships
refused to get under way upon pretence that their crews were
being paid at the time ; but the evil example presently spread ;
and, by May 31st, the Admiral had been deserted by all his vessels
except the Venerable, 74 (flag), and Adamant, 50. Mutiny actually
broke out in the Venerable, but Duncan repressed it, largely by a
personal exhibition of strength and determination ; and, in spite
of his isolation, he managed to keep his station until he was
reinforced.
On May 27th, a number of delegates went up the river in order
to tamper with the crews of some ships which were lying in Long
Eeach. Below Tilbury they were fired at from the shore, and,
landing at Gravesend, they were arrested by the inhabitants ; but
they succeeded in regaining their liberty, and in corrupting the
crew of the Lancaster, 64.
174 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1797.
The same members of the Board of Admiralty as had gone to
Portsmouth to deal with the mutiny there, now went to Sheerness,
and, on May 27th, held a meeting at the house of Commissioner
Francis John Hartwell, where they saw the delegates and tried in
vain to bring them to reason. The only result was that the mutineers
became more aggressive and insolent than ever ; whereupon their
Lordships returned to London, after announcing that no further
concessions whatsoever were to be expected. It is tolerably clear,
from the revelations of M. Moreau de Jonnes and other Frenchmen,
that the leaders of the rebels, or some of them, were by that time in
communication with the enemies of their country, and had formed
projects for carrying the fleet across the Channel, though Parker
resolutely denied any suggestion of the kind ; but the general body
of seamen revolted at the idea of so treasonable a proceeding. The
situation of the mutineers had, however, become a desperate one.
Success was hopeless ; punishment was almost certain ; and flight,
either with or without the ships, seemed to promise the sole chance
of safety. It is, upon the whole, astonishing, therefore, that the
fleet did not desert. Instead of fleeing, the delegates attempted
to coerce London into supporting their demands. They moored
the Standard, 64, Brilliant, 28, Inspector, 16, and Swan, 16, across
the river to block the traffic, and allowed no vessels to pass them
without an order signed by Kichard Parker, and then only neutral
ships, colliers, and a few small craft. In the meantime, com-
munication with the shore having been cut off, the rebels turned
pirates, helping themselves to provisions and water from merchant
ships which they detained, carrying off sheep from the Isle of
Grain, and plundering the storeship Grampus, which had been
fitted out to proceed to the fleet in the West Indies. They did
not, nevertheless, omit to fire a royal salute on June 4th, the
anniversary of the King's birthday, though they still kept the red
flag flying at the main-topmasthead of the Sandwich. On June 6th,
when the mutineers were joined by the last of the deserting vessels
from Admiral Duncan's fleet, their total force consisted of the
twelve ships of the line, two 50's, six frigates, and six smaller
craft mentioned in the note.1 That day sealed the fate of the
rebellion.
1 Sandwich, 90 ; Montagu, 74 ; Agamemnon, 64 ; Ardent, 64 ; Inflexible, 64 ;
Monmouth, 64 ; Director, 64 ; Nassau, 64 ; Repulse, 64 ; Bellique.ur, 64 ; Standard, 64 ;
Lion, 64 ; Leopard, 50 ; Ms, 50 ; Terpsichore, 32 ; Iris, 32 ; Brilliant, 28 ; Vestal, 28 ;
Proserpine, 28 ; Champion, 20 ; Pylades, 16 ; Inspector, 16 ; Swan, 16 ; Comet, fire-
1797.] MUTINY AT THE NO RE. 175
It was on June 6th that two Acts of Parliament were hastily
introduced, passed, and assented to. One was " for the better
prevention and punishment of attempts to seduce persons serving
in his Majesty's forces by sea or land from their duty and allegiance,
or to entice them to mutiny or disobedience " ; and the other
was " for the more effectually restraining intercourse with the
crews of certain of his Majesty's ships now in a state of mutiny
and rebellion, and for the effectual suppression of such mutiny
and rebellion." In pursuance of the intention of the authorities
to crush the outbreak at all costs, new batteries were erected on
both sides of the Thames ; the buoys at its mouth were removed ;
furnaces for heating shot were prepared at various points ; and
the Neptune, 98, Commodore Sir Erasmus Gower, Lancaster, 64,
Agincourt, 64, and several gunboats, which lay near Gravesend,
were directed to drop down and attack the insurgents. The
mutineers, feeling that the end was approaching, opened negotia-
tions through the Earl of Northesk, Captain of the Monmouth;
but still simulated an uncompromising demeanour. Their overtures
were rejected ; and the preparations for reducing them by force
were almost complete when, on June 9th, it became apparent that
the insurrection was about to collapse. On that day the Repulse
and Leopard escaped from the fleet, the latter getting up the
Thames, but the former, unfortunately, taking the ground, and
being fired at by the Monmouth and Director. In the following
night the Ardent also made off, though she, too, was fired at by
the Monmouth. Both in her and in the Repulse1 several people
were hit. On the 10th, several vessels hauled down the red flag,
and the river traffic was reopened. On the 12th, other ships struck
the symbol of disaffection, and expressed a desire to submit ; and
on the evening of that day the rebels had only seven ships still
adhering to them. Early on the 13th, the Agamemnon, Standard,
Nassau, Iris, and Vestal, after there had been bloody struggles in
most of them, took refuge either up the Thames or under the guns
of Sheerness ; and, later on the same day, the general body of
ship, 14 ; Grampus, storeship, 20 ; and Serapis, storeship, 20. The Lancaster, 64, had
by that day returned to its duty. The Serapis appears on that day to have escaped into
the Medway. The Discovery, bomb, had entered the Medway some days before.
1 Lieutenant George Augustus Delanoe, of the Repulse, lost a leg on the occasion.
He was in consequence promoted and given a pension of 2s. a day. He was also
granted a pension by the City of London. He was promoted in the course of the year,
and died, still a Commander, in 1802.
176 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1797.
rebels, even including the crew of the Sandtcich, announced an
inclination to submit if a general pardon should be granted. On
the morning of the 14th, the Sandwich was carried under the
guns of Sheerness, and Vice-Admiral Buckner, sending a boat full
of soldiers on board of her, effected the arrest of Eichard Parker,
of a man named Davies, who had acted as his flag-captain, and
of about thirty other delegates. One delegate, named Wallace,
to escape capture, committed suicide. Parker was tried by court-
martial on board the Sandwich on June 22nd. The trial continued
for several days, and resulted in the man's condemnation to death.
He was executed on June 29th on board the Sandwich, and died
acknowledging the justice of the sentence. Other mutineers were
then tried. Many were executed ; several were flogged from ship
to ship ; some were imprisoned in the Marshalsea ; and a number
remained under sentence on board the Eagle, 64, prison ship in
the Medway, until after the battle of Camperdown, when, at the
prayer of Admiral Duncan, the King was pleased to pardon them.
Yet the mutinies did not cease with the collapse of the great
outbreak at the Nore. There were further outbreaks in the
Pompee, 80, Eoyal Sovereign, 100, Saturn, 74, Mars, 74, Marl-
borough, 74, Bedford, 74, Ardent, 64, Grampus, storeship, Beaulieu,
40, Phoenix, 36, Calypso, 16, and other vessels, and, during the
whole of the summer of 1797, courts-martial were sitting to try the
offenders, many of whom were condemned to death, or to floggings
so severe as to be scarcely preferable. In July, there was a mutiny
of a particularly determined type on board the St. George, 98, in the
Mediterranean. This was quelled by the personal gallantry and
firmness of her commander, Captain Shuldham Peard, and punished
with the sternness which, in such circumstances, always charac-
terised Lord St. Vincent, the Commander-in-Chief. The Admiral,
however, on that occasion, issued a general order in which, some-
what prematurely, as the issue proved, he expressed his high sense
of "the loyalty, fidelity, and subordination of the rest of the fleet,"
which he would not " fail to make known to the Lords Commis-
sioners of the Admiralty, and request their lordships to lay it before
the King." St. Vincent had, very soon afterwards, to contend with
the evil in many forms and in many vessels. The epidemic, after having
broken out in the Mediterranean, was continually renewed by the
arrival of ships and drafts from the home station. In England
disaffection had, perhaps, been too tenderly dealt with in its in-
171)8.] ST. VINCENT AND MUTINY. 177
ception. St. Vincent adopted a different method. It has been
noted that the Marlborough, then commanded by Captain Henry
Nicholls, had been concerned in the mutiny at Spithead. Under
another Captain, she had subsequently given much trouble to her
officers, when lying in Bantry Bay, and, being despatched in 1798 to
join the fleet of Earl St. Vincent, some of her crew were again
mutinous while she was on her passage. The Commander-in Chief,
aware of her character at the time, ordered her, as soon as she was
within signalling range of him, to take up a berth between the lines
of the fleet, which was then at anchor ; and, immediately after her
arrival, application was made to him for a court-martial to be held
on a seaman. There was also trouble on board the Lion1 and the
Centaur2 — a fact which St. Vincent may have accepted as a proof
that the spirit of insubordination was not merely of a local character,
though the evidence, as it now stands, does not altogether bear this
out. Tucker, in his ' Memoirs of St. Vincent,' relates what followed
in the case of the Marlborough ; and the whole episode is sufficiently-
instructive to demand a full chronicle here. It is given in Tucker's
words : —
" A court-martial on the principal mutineers was immediately assembled, and one
was no sooner sentenced to die than the Commander-in-Chief ordered him to he
executed on the following morning, ' and by the crew of the Marlborovyh alone, no
part of the boats' crews from the other ships, as had been usual on similar occasions,
to assist in the punishment' — his Lordship's invariable older on the execution of
mutineers. On the receipt of the necessary commands for this execution, the captain
of the Marlborough, Captain Ellison,3 waited upon the Commander-m-Chief, and,,
reminding his Lordship that a determination that their shipmates should not suffer
capital punishment had been the very cause of the ship's company's mutiny, expressed
his conviction that the Marlborougtis crew would never permit the man to be hanged
on board that ship.
" Receiving the Captain on the Ville de Paris's quarter-deck, before the officers and
ship's company, hearkening in breathless silence to what passed, and standing with his
hat in his hand over his head, as was his Lordship's invariable custom during the
whole time that any person, whatever were his rank, even a common seaman, addressed
him on service, Lord St. Vincent listened very attentively till the Captain ceased to-
speak ; and then, after a pause, replied : ' What ; do you mean to tell me, Captain
Ellison, that you cannot command his Majesty's ship the Marlborontjh '? For, if that
is the case, sir, I will immediately send on board an officer who can.
" The Captain then requested that, at all events, the boats' crews from the rest of
the fleet might, as always had been customary in the service, on executions, attend -at
this also, to haul the man up; for he really did not expect the Marlloroiigh would'do
1 Captain Manley Dixon.
2 Captain John Markham
:< Captain Joseph Ellison : born, 1753 ; Commander, 1782 ; Captain, 1783 ; retired,
1806 ; died, 181G.
VOL. IV. N
178 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1 793-1802. [1798.
it. Lord St. Vincent sternly answered : 'Captain Ellison ; you are an old officer, sir ;
have served long, suffered severely in the service, and have lost an arm in action ; and
I should be very sorry that any advantage should be now taken of your advanced
years. That man shall be hanged, at eight o'clock to-morrow morning, and by his
own ship's company ; for not a hand from any other ship in the fleet shall touch the
rope. You will now return on board, sir ; and, lest you should not prove able to
command your ship, an officer will be at hand to you who can.'
" Without another word Captain Ellison instantly retired. After he had reached
his ship, he received orders to cause her guns to be housed and secured, and that at
daybreak in the morning her ports should be lowered. A general order was then
issued to the fleet for all launches to rendezvous under the Prince at seven o'clock on
the following morning, armed with carronades and twelve rounds of ammunition for
service ; each launch to be commanded by a Lieutenant, having an expert and trusty
gunner's mate and four quarter-gunners, exclusive of the launch's crew ; the whole to
lie under the command of Captain Campbell,1 of the lllenheim. The written orders to
the Captain will appear in their place. On presenting them, Lord St. Vincent said,
' he was to attend the execution, and, if any symptoms of mutiny appeared in the
Jlfarlborough, any attempt to open her ports, or any resistance to the hanging of
the prisoner, he was to proceed close touching the ship, and to fire into her, and to
continue to fire until all mutiny or resistance should cease ; and that, should it become
absolutely necessary, he should even sink the ship in face of the fleet.'
" Accordingly, at seven the next morning, all the launches, thus armed, proceeded
from the Prince to the Blenheim, and thence, Captain Campbell having assumed the
command, to the Marlboroityh. Having lain on his oars a short time alongside, the
Captain formed his force in a line athwart her bows, at rather less than pistol-shot
distance off; and then he ordered the tompions to be taken out of the carronades, and
to load.
" At half-past seven, the hands throughout the fleet having been turned up to
witness punishment, the eyes of all were bent upon a powerfully armed boat as it quitted
the flag-ship ; every one knowing that there went the provost-marshal conducting his
prisoner to the Marlborouyh for execution. The crisis was come ; now was to be seen
whether the Marlborouyh's crew would hang one of their own men.
" The ship being in the centre between the two lines of the fleet, the boat was soon
alongside, and the man was speedily placed on the cathead and haltered. A few awful
minutes of universal silence followed, which was at last broken by the watch-bells of
the fleet striking eight o'clock. Instantly the flagship's gun fired, and, at the sound,
the man was lifted well up ; but then, and visibly to all, he dropped back again ; and
the sensation throughout the fleet was intense. For, at this dreadful moment, when
the eyes of every man in every ship were straining upon this execution, as the decisive
struggle between authority and mutiny, as if it were destined that the whole fleet
should see the hesitating unwillingness of the Marlborough's crew to hang their rebel,
and the efficacy of the means taken to enforce obedience, by an accident on board the
ship the men at the yard-rope unintentionally let it slip, and the turn of the balance
seemed calamitously lost ; but then they hauled him up to the yard-arm with a run, —
the law was satisfied, and, said Lord St. Vincent at the moment, perhaps one of the
greatest of his life, ' Discipline is preserved, sir.'
" When the sentence was executed, and not any disturbance appeared, that it might
be again made perceptible to all the fleet that abundant force had been provided to
overpower any resistance which a line-of-battle-ship could offer, Captain Campbell broke
his line, and, rowing down, placed his launches as close alongside the Marlborough as
1 Captain Robert Campbell (1) : born, 1770 ; Commander and Captain, 1797 ; died,
1815.
1797.] MUTINY OF THE " IIEEMIONE." 179
their oars would permit; and then, re-forming them, resumed his station across her
bows, continuing there until, the time for the body's hanging having expired, it was
taken down, sewed up as usual in its own hammock with a shot, and carried in one of
the Marlborough's boats to half a mile from the ship, and sunk ; upon which Captain
Campbell withdrew his force, and the Marlborvuyh's signal was made to take her
station in the line. . . . The dreadful sentence was again and again inflicted, and, in
all cases of insubordination, the crews were invariably the executioners of their own
rebels ; but never again was the power of the law doubted by anyone." '
But the sequence of events has been anticipated. The many
serious mutinies of 1797 have not yet all been enumerated, and some
of the worst remain to be described.
The Hermione, 32, commanded by Captain Hugh Pigot (2), a
courageous but very tyrannical officer, had begun what promised to
be a distinguished commission on the Jamaica station, where, on
September 22nd, off Puerto Eico, part of the crew rose in the night,
seized those of their fellows who were not parties to the plot, and
savagely murdered Captain Pigot in cold blood. It is admitted—
although the fact does not in the least excuse their conduct — that
some of them had been ill-treated by his orders ; but that admission
affords no shadow of explanation for the barbarity of their further
procedure. After murdering Pigot, against whom they had personal
grievances, they murdered two Lieutenants,2 the Purser, Mr. Pacey,
the Surgeon, Dr. Sansom, the Captain's Clerk, Mr. Mainwaring, a
Midshipman named Smith, the Boatswain, William Martin, and
Lieutenant M'Intosh, of the Marines, against the majority of whom
they certainly had none ; and not only did they murder them, but
they also mangled their bodies. To complete their crime they
carried the ship into La Guayra, and handed her over to the
Spaniards, to be employed against their own countrymen. The
splendid story of the frigate's recapture will be found in
Chapter XXXVI. It is a further satisfaction to be able to say
here that many of the mutineers were subsequently taken, and that
they suffered for their villainy.3
On yet another station — that of the Cape of Good Hope — the
1 ' Mems. of St. Vincent,' i. 303, etc.
2 They had previously murdered the first Lieutenant, Samuel Read, who had
bravely endeavoured to suppress the outbreak at its inception. The two Lieutenants
killed after the death of the Captain were Archibald Douglas, and Henry Fanshawe.
3 A somewhat analogous case of mutiny occurred in the West Indies in the same
year on board the schooner, Marie Antoinette, 10, the crew of which murdered their
commander, Lieutenant John M'Inerheny, and carried the ship into a French port. In
the following year, an attempt, happily ineffectual, was made by .her crew to seize
the Haughty, 12, and deliver her to the enemy.
K 2
180 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE EOYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1797-98.
contagion from Spithead and the Nore broke out ere the close of the
year. In October, a mutiny manifested itself in the Tremendous, 74,
the crew of which attempted to try by a court, nominated by them-
selves, their captain, George Hopewell Stephens, for cruelty and
misconduct. This initial outbreak was suppressed, and Captain
Stephens demanded a court-martial, which was held on board the
Sceptre in Table Bay, and which honourably acquitted him. In the
course of the proceedings, some of the seamen witnesses grossly
misbehaved themselves, and one of them was consequently punished.
Soon afterwards, symptoms of mutiny appeared in several ships of
the squadron, but, thanks to the prompt and determined measures
of Lord Macartney, the governor of the Colony, Bear-Admiral
Thomas Pringle, and General Dundas, the outbreak was quelled ;
the delegates who, as at the Nore, had been chosen, were given up ;
the leading offenders were executed or flogged, and discipline was
restored.
For some time afterwards, mutiny was lamentably common in
the Navy, but it never again reached the height to which it had
attained in 1797. On September 18th, 1798, nineteen seamen of
the Defence were sentenced to death, and six to flogging and
imprisonment, and on October 9th following, eight seamen of the
Glory were sentenced to death, two to receive one hundred lashes
each, to be mulcted of all their pay, and to suffer twelve months'
solitary confinement, and one to receive two hundred lashes, and to
be fined and imprisoned. In March, 1800, the Danae, 32, Captain
Lord Proby, was seized by her crew, while engaged in blockading
Brest, and carried into that port ; but the mutineers, to their no
small astonishment, were imprisoned by the French, while Lord
Proby and his officers were extremely well treated. Again, in
November, 1800, another British vessel, the Albanaise, bomb,
Commander Francis Newcombe, was taken possession of by her
crew, and carried into a foreign port ; but it appears that, in this
case, many of the offenders were foreigners.1 Yet cases of the kind
became from year to year fewer and fewer, probably in consequence
of the extremely severe punishments which it became the practice to
deal out to mutineers. For example, for having written anonymous
letters, endeavoured to make mutinous assemblies, and uttered
1 C. M., June 17th, 1801. At this inquiry Lieutenant William Prosser Kent
refused to give evidence upon oath, " from mistaken religious motives," and was there-
upon adjudged to be unfit to hold his Majesty's commission.
1793-1802.] THE MARINES. 181
seditious and mutinous words, King, a seaman of the Active, 38,
was condemned, in April, 1801, 1 to receive five hundred lashes, and
two of his shipmates, Beetham and Forrest, were condemned to
receive three hundred apiece, from ship to ship. The last serious
mutinous outbreak of the period under review occurred in December,
1801, in the Temeraire, 98, flagship of Bear- Admiral George Camp-
bell, upon the ship being ordered from Bantry Bay to the West
Indies. On January 6th, 1802, the trial of fourteen of the alleged
offenders began at Spithead. Thirteen of them were condemned to
death, and one was sentenced to receive two hundred lashes. On
January 14th, the trial of six more began, and of these, five were
condemned to death, and one was adjudged to receive two hundred
lashes from ship to ship. On all these regrettable occasions, the
Marines behaved with conspicuous discipline and loyalty, and,
more than once, they were publicly thanked for their conduct.
When the war was renewed, an almost equally good spirit reigned
among the seamen, and there were but few outbreaks of serious
insubordination. It may be that officers, as well as men, had
learnt a lesson, and that the better treatment meted out to the
latter was, as much as anything, responsible for their improved
behaviour, for it is noticeable that, after 1797, prosecutions of
officers for ill-treatment of their men became, for a time, more
common than before, and then almost died out. Yet, at a consider-
ably later date, we find the Naval Chronicle complaining that ill-
treatment of seamen was still often overlooked or inadequately
punished.
Not only in assisting to maintain discipline in the fleet, but also
on nearly every possible occasion throughout the war, the behaviour
of the Marines was admirable, and the good conduct of the corps
was more than once officially recognised. In 1759, George II. had
formed a new establishment of Marine officers of superior rank to be
chosen from officers in the Eoyal Navy, viz., a General,2 a Lieut. -
General,3 and three Colonels.4 The first General was Admiral the
Hon. Edward Boscawen, and among his successors up to the time
of the Peace were Howe, Barrington, and Bridport. The first
Lieut. -General was Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Saunders, and among
his successors were Palliser, Barrington, Bridport, and St. Vincent.
The first three Colonels were Captain Sir Piercy Brett (1), Kt.,
1 0. M. in Gladi itor, at Portsmouth, April 9th, 1801.
2 Salary, £2000 a year. 3 Salary, £1200 a year. * Salary, £800 a year each.
182 CIVIL HISTORY OF TEE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
Captain the Hon. Augustus Keppel,1 and Captain Lord Howe.
Among their successors, up to 1802, were Captains the Hon.
Augustus Hervey,2 the Hon. Samuel Barrington, Thomas Graves (2),3
Joshua Eowley, the Hon. Eobert Boyle Walsingham, William
Hotham (I),4 Sir John Lindsay, KB., the Hon. William Corn-
wallis, Sir Hyde Parker (2), Sir Eoger Curtis, Kt., James Gam-
bier (2),6 Lord Hugh Seymour, Horatio Nelson, the Hon. George
Cranfield Berkeley, John Thomas Duckworth, Sir James Saumarez,
Sir Edward Pellew, Bt.,6 and Sir Thomas Troubridge, Bt. In
June, 1794, a Major-General of Marines was also appointed, the first
holder of the rank being Eear- Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, afterwards
Lord Gardner. In 1802, after the close of the war, the King, to
mark his satisfaction with the behaviour of the corps, signified his
pleasure that it should be styled for the future the Eoyal Marines.
An alteration in the uniform of naval officers was effected by an
order of June 1st, 1795. It was then that the wearing of epaulettes 7
—a French fashion, to which Nelson, for a time, most strongly
objected — was first introduced into the service. Admirals were
directed to wear two gold epaulettes, with three silver stars on each ;
Vice-Admirals the same, with two stars on each ; Eear- Admirals the
same, with one star on each ; and Post -Captains of above three years'
standing, two epaulettes without stars. A Post-Captain of under
three years' standing was assigned one gold epaulette, to be worn on
the right shoulder, 'and a Master and Commander the same, to be
worn on the left. It was at the same time ordered that the lappels
and cuffs of Captains' uniforms were to be blue instead of white,
and that the lace was to be the same as before the previous altera-
tion ; but neither lace nor embroidery was to be worn on the undress
coat. The only survival of the old white facing remained in the
shape of the piping on the Lieutenant's coat, and both remained, and
still remains, in the patch on the Midshipman's collar.
Medals continued to be very sparingly granted. As will be seen
in the next chapter, medals for the battle of the Glorious First of June,
1794, were issued to certain selected flag-officers and Captains who
1 Later, Viscount Keppel. 3 Later, Lord Graves. 6 Later, Lord Gambler.
2 Later, Earl of Bristol. 4 Later, Lord Hotham. 6 Later, Lord Exmouth.
7 Mr. Popham Lethbridge says that the wearing of epaulettes arose out of the fact
that some British naval officers, while visiting France during the peace, observed that
the sentries did not salute them, though they did salute British Marine officers, who
then wore silver epaulettes. When one of the naval officers became a Lord of the
Admiralty he procured the adoption of the new regulation.
1793-1802.] MEDALS. 18fi
had been present on that occasion. In addition, a gold chain, to
which his medal was to be suspended, was given to Earl Howe.
Concerning the manner in which these distinctions were conf erred t
Captain Isaac Schomberg : very sensibly says : —
" The meritorious conduct of these officers was, no doubt, highly deserving of so
distinguished a mark of royal favour. How far such selections may be consistent with
the well-being of so important a service as that of the British Navy, in which every
officer is supposed on like occasions to act to the best of his abilities, needs no comment.
If, in the presence of an enemy, or in action, a commander appears deficient either in
courage or conduct, it is more candid and decided in a Commander-in-Chief to have
such conduct investigated before a public tribunal, rather than leave a doubt on the
minds of his country by such oblique insinuations that some have fallen short in their
duty."
Medals were again granted to the flag-officers and Captains —
this time without exception2 — present at Jervis's victory off Cape
St. Vincent in 1797, at the battle off Camperdown in the same year,,
and at the battle of the Nile in 1798. These were all of gold, and
all alike, and were directed to be worn with uniform, hanging from
a neck-chain, by flag-officers, and, attached to a blue and white
ribbon passed through the third and fourth buttonholes on the left
side of the coat, by Captains. The gold medal was also given to
Captain Edward Hamilton, of the Surprise, for his recapture of the
Hermione, on October 25th, 1799. After the Nile, Lord Nelson's
friend and agent, Mr. Alexander Davison, at his own expense,
presented handsome medals, or " tributes of regard," in gold, silver,
bronze-gilt and bronze, to the various ranks engaged ; and, in com-
memoration of St. Vincent, Lord St. Vincent distributed to the
seamen a medal which he styled " a testimony of approbation " ; but
these, of course, had no official significance. Not until very many
years afterwards, when most of the participants were dead, were the
services of the junior commissioned officers, warrant officers, seamen,
and Marines, during the War of the French Eevolution, recognised
by the issue by Government to the survivors of a naval war medal
with appropriate clasps.
On many occasions during the war, and especially in the earlier
part of it, large numbers of troops were embarked in the fleet, to
serve in lieu of Marines, and for other purposes.3 This practice
1 'Nav. Chronol.' ii. 270.
2 Save in the case of one of the Camperdown Captains.
3 At the battle of St. Vincent, in 1797, part of the 69th Eegiment served in Nelson's
ship, the Captain. In consequence, the present Welsh Regiment, the 2nd Battalion of
which was formerly the G9th Regiment, bears on its colour " St. Vincent." The Royal
181 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
quickly led to a conflict of authority between the Navy and the
Army, and, in 1795, H.R.H. the Duke of York, then the military
Commander-in-Chief, saw fit to issue an order that regular troops,
serving on board men-of-war, should not be amenable to naval
discipline, but, in case of misbehaviour, should be sent ashore for
trial by a military court. A meeting of flag-officers and Captains
was held at Portsmouth on November 3rd in that year to consider
ths situation thus created, and, in the meanwhile, certain vessels,
having troops on board, and about to sail for abroad, were detained.
In the event, it was very wisely decided by the Government that no
alteration should be made in the naval Articles of War, and that
officers and privates of the army, serving in his Majesty's ships,
should be subject to the laws of naval discipline.
The morality of the lower deck remained, it must be feared, at a
rather low ebb. Numerous allusions are to be found in the logs and
journals of the time to the presence of women on board ship, not
only in port, but also at sea. After the Resistance, 44, had blown
up in the Strait of Banca on July 24th, 1798, Thomas Scott, one of
the four survivors, deposed that, among those who perished in her,
were three English women, married on board, and one Malay
woman of Amboyna. And in the Eules and Orders to be observed by
the mutinous crews of the ships at the Nore in 1797, occurs the
significant paragraph, "No woman shall be permitted to go on shore
from any ship, but as many may come in as please." But as it will
be necessary to revert later, to this subject, nothing further shall
here be said about it.
It was, naturally, inevitable that, in the course of a gigantic
struggle such as was waged from 1793 to 1802, questions connected
with the maintsnance and exchange of prisoners of war should often
arise. Early in 1798, the problem of maintenance, and, in Sep-
tember of the same year, the numerous problems involved in the
arrangement of a satisfactory scheme of exchange, appeared to be
finally and equitably solved. It was agreed between Great Britain
and France that the prisoners of each should be supported at the
cost of their respective countries ; that each country should send to
the other an agent to superintend the furnishing of the prisoners of
Berkshire llegiment, the 1st Battalion of which was formerly the 49th Foot, and the
Rifle Brigade, the 1st Battalion of which was then known as Col. Marmingham's Corps
of Riflemen, similarly bear "Copenhagen," on account of their asrvices in Nelson's
division in 1801.
1793-1802.] PlilSOXERS OF WAB. 185
his nationality with provisions ; that the markets should be open to
these agents ; and that the prisoners should be concentrated in a
few central localities, instead of being distributed over the two
countries. The agents first appointed in pursuance of this conven-
tion were, on the part of Great Britain, Captain James Cotes, E.N.,
and, on the part of the French Eepublic, M. Niou.1 As regards
exchange, it was agreed that France should begin by returning in a
French vessel a batch of British prisoners, including five per cent, of
officers ; that Great Britain would then return in a British vessel a
corresponding batch of French prisoners, and that afterwards the
two countries should take it in turns to commence the exchange.
Prisoners for exchange were to be selected by their resident agents.
A table showing the equivalent in men for an officer of every rank
was drawn up, and the allowance of food to be provided daily by the
surrendering government to prisoners while on board the cartels was
fixed. Moreover, it was agreed that men incapacitated by wounds,
age, or infirmities, and boys under twelve years of age, should be at
once surrendered without equivalent, and that Surgeons, Pursers,
Secretaries, Chaplains, Schoolmasters, and non-combatant passengers,
should not be detained as prisoners of war. Provision was also
made for the liberation, on parole not to serve again during the war
until regularly exchanged, of combatant officers. But in 1799,
when the balance of prisoners 2 was even more against France than
it had been in 1798, the government of the Eepublic refused any
longer to support or clothe its prisoners in Great Britain, the idea,
no doubt, being that a captor could not well refuse to keep his
captives alive, and that the expense of doing so would help to
weaken his resources. There ceased also, for a time, to be any
regular system of exchange. Eemonstrance was made, but without
effect, and, pending negotiations, the prisoners in Great Britain
suffered great hardships. Eventually, so heavy was the mortality,
that it was ordered, on January 1st, 1801, that the French prisoners
in Great Britain should be supplied with warm clothing at the
public expense.
Among the numerous improvements which were effected during
the period, three of the most important were the construction of
1 At that time there were in Britain 30,205 French prisoners, besides 300 officers
on parole, confined at Portsmouth, Plymouth, Norman Cross, Liverpool, Edinburgh,
Chatham, and Stapleton ; and in France only about 4000 British prisoners.
2 There were then in Great Britain 25,646 French prisoners, and in France only
about 1470 British. ' Report to Transport Board' of December 21st, 1799.
18(5 CIVIL I1ISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
signal towers along the coasts of England to facilitate the rapid
transmission of intelligence from point to point ; the creation of lines
of telegraph stations between London and Deal, with a branch to
Sheerness, and between London and Portsmouth ; and the institution
of the force known as the Sea Fencibles. The signal towers, to the
number of eighty-seven, were built in 1795, and to each of them
were allotted a Lieutenant at 7s. 6d. a day over and above his half-
pay, a Midshipman at 2s. a day, with, in addition, the pay of a
Midshipman of a fourth-rate, and two seamen at 2s. a day. This
staff lodged in a house adjoining the tower, and was allowed coals
and candles. The telegraph stations were erected in 1795 and 1796.
The method whereby messages were transmitted was by semaphore,
the invention of the Eev. Lord George Murray, later Bishop of
St. David's, and the various stations were : (1), Between London and
Deal, Admiralty, West Square, New Cross, Shooter's Hill, Swans-
combe, Gadshill, Callum Hill, Beacon Hill, Shottenden, Barham
Downs, Bettishanger, and Deal; (2), Between Beacon Hill and
Sheerness, Tong, Barrow Hill, and Sheerness; and (3), Between
London and Portsmouth, Admiralty, Chelsea, Putney, Cabbage Hill,
Netley Heath, Hascombe, Blackdown, Beacon Hill, Portsdown, and
Portsmouth. The Sea Fencibles were raised in the spring of 1798
at the instance of Captain Home Riggs Popham. The corps was
composed of fishermen, sailors employed in coasters, and other
persons engaged on the water ; and the men were trained in the use
of the pike, and, whenever possible, in gunnery also. For the
purpose, the coast was divided into districts, to each of which a
Post-Captain, and one, two or three Commanders were appointed, the
Captains receiving £1 10s. a day as pay and allowance, besides 5s. for
the expense of a clerk, stationery, and travelling, and the Com-
manders receiving £1 a day, besides Is. 9rf. for contingencies. The
men were given protection against impressment, and were paid Is.
each at every muster or drill. About nine thousand were raised,
chiefly in the southern counties and in Yorkshire ; but, upon the
signing of the preliminaries of peace, the Sea Fencibles were dis-
continued, and their officers were discharged. The corps was, in
some respects, the prototype of the modern Coastguard.
In 1795 it was decided to establish a Hydrographical office at
the Admiralty, and the post of Hydrographer was offered to, and
accepted by, Mr. Alexander Dalrymple, who, since 1779, had been
Hydrographer to the East India Company. For more than a
1793-1802.] IMPROVEMENTS. 187
hundred years previously there had been government hydrographers
in France, but Dalrymple's appointment was the first of its kind in
Great Britain. Dalrymple did good work for some years, but was
dismissed from his post on May 28th., 1808, and died, it is said of a
broken heart, on June 12th following.
Other improvements were ; the appointment, in 1795, as gover-
nors of the Eoyal Naval Hospitals there, of Post-Captains, each with
three Lieutenants under him, to Plymouth and Haslar, and of
ALEXANDER DALRYMPLE, 1733-1808.
FIRST HYDROGRAPHER TO THE ADMIRALTY, 1795-1808.
(from Blood's engraving after a drawing bij John Brown.)
Lieutenants to Deal and Great Yarmouth ; the allowance of servants,
in 1799, to some of the principal shipwrights in the dockyards ; the
abolition, in 1801, of the ancient but iniquitous practice of per-
mitting shipwrights to remove chips from the yards, and the
allowance to them instead of Gd. a day ; the creation of a Victualling
Yard1 at Deptford ; and the adoption, about the year 1799, of
1 The shipbuilding premises known as Dudmau's Dock were purchased for that
purpose.
188 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1793-1802.
appliances for filtering, before use, the water supplied to ships'
companies. The fitting of locks to heavy guns for the purpose of
firing them, in substitution of, or as alternative to, the firing-irons
and smouldering ropes' ends then generally in use, was experi-
mented with during the period, but was not generally adopted until
some years later.
At the beginning of 1800, a new scale of fees was established for
the issue of Admiralty commissions and warrants. The more
important of these were : commission to a flag-officer, £5 7s. 6d. ;
to a Captain or Commander, £2 3s. ; to a Lieutenant, £1 Is. 6d. ;
warrant to a Purser, Gunner, Boatswain, or Carpenter of a ship of
one of the three higher rates, £2 3s. ; to a Chaplain of a man-of-war,
10s. 6d. ; warrant to admit a scholar into the Royal Naval Academy,
£1 Is. 6d. Fees also had to be paid on orders for superannuation,
on orders for pensions, on the granting of passes to protect against
Moorish pirates and against impressment, on letters of leave, and on
the issue of various certificates.
The national ensign had remained unchanged since the time of
the union with Scotland, when, on January 1st, 1801, the accom-
plishment of the Union between Great Britain and Ireland necessi-
tated an addition to the Union Flag of an emblem to represent
Ireland. The emblem fixed upon was what is vulgarly called the
cross of St. Patrick. A cross is the attribute only of a martyr, and
St. Patrick, not having been a martyr, has no cross. But the
sal tire adopted, besides figuring in the coat armour of the Fitz-
geralds, long one of the greatest of Irish families, seems to have
been recognised before the Union as a badge of Ireland, and, though
its origin as such is, perhaps, obscure, it was wisely made use of in
preference to the harp or to the shamrock, neither of which would
have readily lent itself to inclusion in the general heraldic scheme of
the old Union Flag.1 At the same time the Royal Ensign was altered,
1 The Proclamation of January 1st, 1801, contained the following descriptive
paragraph : —
" The Union Flag shall be : Azure, the crosses saltire of St. Andrew and
St. Patrick quarterly per saltire, counterchanged Argent and Gules, the latter
fimbriated of the second; surmounted by the cross of St. George of the third
fimbriated as the saltire."
According to the practice of the Royal Navy, the Union Flag has ever since been
constructed of the following proportions: All British naval flags are of twice the
length of their breadth. Assuming, therefore, that it be desired to construct a Union
Flag 60 in. in length, then, the total breadth will be 30 in. ; the breadth of the red
St. George's cross, 6 in. ; the breadth of the firabriatiou, or white border, on each side
1801.]
TUB VSIOS FLAO.
189
the arms of England figuring in the first and fourth quarters, those
of Scotland in the second, those of Ireland in the third, and those of
of the St. George's cross, 2 in. (thus making the whole breadth of the upright cross and
its borders 10 in.) ; the breadth of the visible part of the nd Irish saltire, 2 in. ; the
breadth of its narrow fiiabriation, 1 in. ; and the breadth of the visible part of the
white cross of St. Andrew, 3 in. (thus making thj whole breadth of the composite
diagonal cross, 6 in.).
The iliiftiiiin given herewith will help to make clearer the scheme of composition
of the Union, which is very often improperly made, and which, in the British merchant
service, as forming part of the Blue and Red Ensigns, is almost invariably incorrect.
The diagrams will also explain the heraldic process known as " counterchanging," — *
process here applied with the object of giving equal prominence to the two saltires.
K FLAG OF JAS. 1ST, 1801.
The figures above show (I) the saltirc introduced to represent Ireland ; and (2) the method of •• corater-
changing " the saltires of Scotland and Ireland in the Union FUg as it has stood since 1801.
The Scots saltire, as representing an older member of the Union than the Irish, takes
the superior position in the upper corner of the flag, nest the staff ; and the flag should
not, of course, be hoisted so as to exhibit it in any other position.
On the same day (January Is', 18C1) it was further proclaimed that : —
" Whereas, according to ancient usage, the ensigns, flags, ' Jacks,' and pennants
worn by our ships, and appointed as a distinction for the same, ought not to be worn
on board any ship or vessel belonging to any of our subjects, so that our ships and
those of our subjects may be easily distinguished and known, we have therefore
thought fit, by and with the advice of our Privy Council, to order and appoint the
ensign "(the Red Ensign), "desciibed on the side or margin hereof, to be worn on
Vxjard of all ships or vessels of any of our subjects whatsoever, and to issue this our
Royal Proclamation t<> notify the same to all our loving subjects, hereby strictly
charging and commanding the masters of all merchant ships and vessels belonging to
190 CIVIL HISTORY OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802. [1801.
Hannover, etc., being borne on an escutcheon of pretence. From
the new Eoyal Ensign, as from the arms of the United Kingdom, the
arms of the Eoyal House of France, which had figured for centuries
as a quartering in the arms of the Kings of England, were very
sensibly expunged. The omission was made the more appropriately
at a time when Great Britain was victorious over her hereditary foe,
when the French Eoyal Family was in exile, and when the tricolour
had become the flag of France.
our subjects, whether employed in our service or otherwise, to wear the said ensign on
board their ships or vessels : And we do strictly charge and command all our subjects
whatsoever that they do not presume to wear in any of their ships or vessels our
' Jack,' commonly called the ' Union Jack,' nor any pendants, nor any such colours as
are usually borne by our ships, without particular warrant for their so doing from us or
our High Admiral of Great Britain."
This proclamation gave the Bed Ensign (a red flag with the Union in the upper
canton next the staff) as the flag of the merchant service ; but it did not remove it
from the Boyal Navy. On the contrary, until the distinction in the colours of flag-
officers was abolished, more than half a century later, flag-officers of the Bed, the
White, and the Blue, and the ships of their divisions, continued, as before, to fly,
respectively, the Bed Ensign, the White or St. George's Ensign (which is now the flag
of the Boyal Navy), and the Blue Ensign, in order to indicate their rank and place.
But, when several Flag-officers of different ranks and colours were together in a fleet, the
senior officer often ordered the ships of all the squadrons to fly, for convenience, a
single ensign. So it happened that, at the Glorious First of June, all ships fought
under the Bed, and that, at the Nile and Trafalgar, all fought under the White Ensign
which was pre-eminently Nelson's favourite.
CAULKER'S max PITCH FURNACE.
( 191 )
APPENDIX TO CHAPTEE XXXIV.
LIST, in continuation of the list in vol. iii. pp. 565-568, OF BRITISH FLAG-OFFICERS
ON THE ACTIVE LIST AT THE OUTBREAK OF THE WAR WITH FRANCE IN 1793,
and of all officers who were subsequently promoted to flag-rank on the active list
up to the conclusion of the war in 1802.
NOTE. — The promotions of the following officers are given in detail in the list above-
mentioned. The names are repeated here only to show the complete list as it stood at
the opening of the war.
ADMIRAL OK THE FLEET.
Hon. John Forbes, General of Marines.
ADMIRALS OF THE WHITE.
Harry, Duke of Bolton.
Sir Francis Geary, Bart.
George, Earl Mount Edgcumbe.
John Montagu.
Richard, Earl Howe, Vice-Adm. of
England (K.G., 1797).
Molyneux, Lord Shuldham.
Sir Hugh Palliser, Bart., Gov. of Green-
wich Hospital.
Matthew Barton.
ADMIRALS OF THE BLUE.
Sir Peter Parker (1), Bart.
Hon. Samuel Barrington, Lieut.-General
of Marines.
Marriot Arbuthnot.
Robert Roddam.1
William Lloyd (1).
Sir Edward Hughes, K.B.
John Evans.
Mark Milbanke.
VICE-ADMIRALS OF THE RED.
Nicholas Vincent.1
Sir Edward Vernon, Kt.
Richard Edwards.
Thomas Graves (2) (Lord Graves, 1794).
Hon. Robert Digby.1
Benjamin Marlovv.
Sir Alexander Arthur Hood, K.B., Rear-
Adm. of England (Lord Bridport, 1794).1
Sir Chaloner Ogle (2), Kt. (Bart., 1816).1
Samuel, Lord Hood (Viscount, 1796 ;
G.C.B., 1815).1
VICE-ADMIRALS OF THE WHITE.
Sir Richard Hughes (3), Bart.1
John Elliot.1
William Hotham (Lord Hotham, 1797).1
Joseph Peyton (1).
John Carter Allen.
Sir Charles Middleton, Bart. (Lord Bar-
ham, 1805).'
Sir John Laforey, Bart.
John Dalrymple.
VICE-ADMIRALS OF THE BLUE.
Herbert Sawyer.
Sir Richard King, Bart.1
Jonathan Faulknor (1).
Philip Affleck.
Sir John Jervis, K.B. (Earl St. Vincent,
1797).1
Adam Duncan (Visct. Duncan, 1797).
Richard Brathwaite.
Phillips Cosby.1
REAR-ADMIRALS OF THE RED.
Thomas Fitzherbert.
Samuel Pitchford Cornish.1
John Brisbane.1
Charles Wolseley.1
Samuel Granston Goodall.
Hon. Keith Stewart.
H.R.H. William Henry, Duke of Clarence.1
1 These officers were promoted to be Admirals of the Red at the creation of that
rank on November 9th, 1805. The fact is noted here, as promotions to the rank of
Admiral of the Red are not given in the list in vol. iii. pp. 565-568.
192
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( 196 )
CHAPTEE XXXV.
MAJOR OPERATIONS OF THE ROYAL NAVY, 1793-1802.
The fleet at the outbreak of the war of the French Revolution— British superiority —
British allies — Sercey to the West Indies — -Howe in the Channel — Mutiny in the
French fleet — Howe and Vanstabel — Jervis to the West Indies — Hood in the
Mediterranean — Toulon occupied — Evacuation of Toulon and destruction of French
ships — Linzee to Corsica — Proceedings at Genoa and Spezzia — St. Pierre, Miquelon
and Tobago taken — Miscarriage at Martinique — Commodore Ford at San Domingo
— Successes in India — Reorganisation of the French Navy — Villaret-Joyeuse and
Jean Bon St. Andre — Cruise of Howe — Manoeuvres — Battle of the Glorious First
of June — Montagu's cruise — Mutiny in the Culloden — Loss of the Alexander —
Destruction of the Ardent — Operations in Corsica — Nelson at Bastia — Fall of
Calvi — Chase of Martin — Hotham in the Mediterranean — Mutiny in the Windsor
Castle — Capture of Martinique — Gallantry of Bowen and Faulknor — Capture of
St. Lucia and Guadeloupe — Guadeloupe retaken — Ford at San Domingo — Raid
upon Sierra Leone — The Diamond reconnoitres Brest — Disasters to the French
fleet — Renaudin to Toulon — Cornwallis's retreat — Bridport's action off Groix —
Warren's expedition to Quiberon — Loss of the Berwick — Hotham's action off
Genoa — Loss of the Illustrious — Hotham off Hyeres — Operations of Nelson —
Chase of de Richery — Loss of the Censeur — Cruise of Ganteaume — Jervis in the
Mediterranean — Holland allied with France — Duncan in the North Sea — Reinforce-
ment and successes of Hugues — Capture of Cape Colony — Rainier off Ceylon —
Malacca taken — Blockade of the Texel — Nelson on the Genoese coast — Evacua-
tion of Leghorn — Spain joins France — Difficulties of Jervis — Man and de Langara
— 1 )e Langara to Toulon — Man's desertion — French successes in the Mediterranean
— Evacuation of Corsica — Sailing of Villeneuve — Loss of the Courageux — Jervis
abandons the Mediterranean — De Richery in North America — Capture of Demerara,
etc. — Christian takes St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenada — Repulse at Leogane —
Colombo captured — Amboyna. and Banda surrendered — Dutch squadron surrenders
in Saldanha Bay — Expedition of Hoche to Ireland — The French evade Colpoys —
Failure of the expedition — The Indefatigable and Droits de V Homme — Jervis rein-
forced— Howe resigns command — Sailing of de Cordova — Battle of Cape St. Vincent
—Intrepidity of ^ elson, Troubridge and Collingwood — Berkeley and the Santisima
Trinidad — Bowen and the same — Cadiz bombarded and blockaded — Nelson at
Santa Cruz — Battle of Camperdown— Capture of Trinidad — Failure at Puerto Rico
— Operations off San Domingo — Loss of the Tribune — The commands in 1798—
The Mars and the Hercule — Dreams of an invasion of England— Napoleon's
projects — The Invasion Flotilla — Operations at St. Marcou — Failure at Ostend —
Burning of the Confiante — Humbert's expedition to Ireland — Warren's action —
Fate of Eompart's squadron — Chase of Savary — Nelson to the Mediterranean
Napoleon's Egyptian schemes — Sailing of the Toulon fleet — Nelson in chase The
Battle of the Mle— Malta blockaded— Flight of King Ferdinand— Operations at
Corfu — Blockade of Alexandria- — Capitulation of Minorca — Events in San Domingo
1793.] THE NAVY AT THE OUTBREAK OF WAR. 197
— Defence of Belize — The commands in 1799 — Bruix leaves Brest — Keith in chase
— Massaredo leaves Cadiz — Capture of French frigates — Failure of Keith — Junction
of Massaredo and Bruix — The allies enter Brest — Pole off the Isle of Aix— French
progress in Italy — Blockade of Naples — Operations of Nelson — Suwaroff in Italy —
Foote at Naples — Nelson and the Neapolitan rebels — Execution of Caracciolo —
Naples, Gaeta, and Rome taken— Nelson "sicilified" — Napoleon in Syria —
Bombardment of Alexandria — Sidney Smith on the coast of Syria — Raising of the
siege of Acre — Napoleon returns to France — Operations in the Red Sea — French
difficulties in Egypt — Combined expedition to Holland — Surrender of the Dutch
squadron in Nieuwe Diep — Surrender of the Dutch squadron in the Vlieter — •
Evacuation of Holland — Surinam captured — The commands in 1800 — Loss of the
Repulse — Operations in Quiberon Bay — Loss of the Marlborough — Blockade of
Malta — Burning of the Queen Charlotte — Operations near Genoa — French successes
in Italy — Capture of the Genereux — Nelson returns to England — Capture of the
Guillaume Tell — Capture of the Diane — Capitulation of Malta — The French in
Egypt — Expedition to Ferrol — Surrender of Cura9oa — Union of Great Britain and
Ireland — Confederation of the Northern Powers — Capture of the Freja, — The Armed
Neutrality — Parker to the Baltic — Battle of Copenhagen — The fleet in the Baltic —
Murder of the Tsar Paul — Russia and Sweden make concessions — Nelson in the
Downs — The Invasion Flotilla — Operations off Boulogne — Ganteaume to the
Mediterranean — Search for the Brest fleet — Keith to Egypt — Operations near Elba
— Ganteaume flees from the Egyptian coast — Loss of the Swiftsure — Keith at
Alexandria — Expulsion of the French from Egypt — Operations in the Red Sea-
Enforced hostility of Portugal — Linois leaves Toulon — Action off Algeciras —
Saumarez in the Gut of Gibraltar — Swedish and Danish colonies captured —
Madeira occupied — Losses of Holland — The Peace of Amiens — Gains and losses of
the war.
T the time of the
outbreak of
war with France in
February, 1793, the
SIGNATURE OP THE HON. SAMUEL BABKINGTON, British
A^ADMIBAL. Qn foreign
were very weak. In
the Mediterranean there were one 50-gun ship and five small vessels ; *
on the Leeward Islands station there were two 50-gun ships and
six small craft ; 2 at Jamaica there was one 50-gun with nine small
craft ; 3 at Halifax and Newfoundland there were one 50-gun ship
1 Romney, 50, Rear- Admiral Samuel Granston Goodall, Capt. William Domett;
Aquilon, 32, Capt. the Hon. Robert Stopford ; Lapwing, 28, Capt. the Hon. Henry
Curzon ; Fury, 16, Com. the Hon. William Paget ; Bulldog, 14, Com. George Hope (1) ;
and Mutine, cutter, 14, Lieut. Humphrey West.
2 Trusty, 50, Vice-Admiral Sir John Laforey, Capt. John Drew (I'); Centurion,
50, Capt. Samuel Osborn ; Blanche, 32, Capt. Christopher Parker (2) ; Hermione, 32,
Capt. John Hills ; Perseus, 20, Capt. George Palmer ; Orestes, 18, Com. Augustus
Fitzroy ; Fairy, 16, Com. Francis Laforey ; and Serpent, 14, Com. Richard Lee.
3 Europa, 50, Commod. John Ford, Capt. George Gregory ; Penelope, 32, Capt.
Bartholomew Samuel Rowley ; Proserpine, 28, Capt. James Alms (2) ; Triton, 28,
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
and four small craft ; l in the East Indies there were five frigates
and small craft ; 2 and on the coast of Africa there was one 44-gun
ship.3 But at home and in the Channel there was a large force
in commission, including twenty-five ships of the line, three 50-gun
ships, forty-six frigates of twenty-four guns and upwards, and above
thirty smaller craft. There were, moreover, in serviceable condition
in ordinary fifty-nine ships of the line, one 50-gun ship, and twenty-
five frigates ; and numbers of other ships of all classes were either
undergoing repairs or awaiting them. In addition, twelve ships
of the line and three 50-guii ships were building. It may be said
that there were available for immediate service about seventy-five
ships of the line, and that forty others were nearly ready. As
against this total of one hundred and fifteen, or thereabouts, France
could dispose of, at most, seventy-six, though she added to them
with feverish rapidity. Great Britain, therefore, went into the
conflict with a substantial numerical majority of ships in her favour.
She had, it is true, wider interests than France to defend ; for
France had ceased in the previous contests to be an American and
an Asiatic power ; and, almost in proportion as she had lost, Great
Britain had gained in both hemispheres. Great Britain had,
moreover, to attend to the needs of a sea-borne commerce very con-
siderably superior to that of France, and she was dependent upon
the sea in a sense which France never had been, and never can be.
Yet, upon the whole, France was at an enormous disadvantage.
The numerically superior fleet of King George was manned by
people who were not tainted with the subversive opinions which
had turned France into chaos ; and in Howe, Peter Parker,
Barrington, Edward Hughes, Thomas Graves, Sir Alexander Hood,
Lord Hood, Sir Eichard King, Sir John Jervis, Adam Duncan,
Samuel Pitchford Cornish, Sir Hyde Parker, and Hon. Wm. Corn-
wallis, not to mention many more, it had flag officers who had
Capt. George Murray (3) ; Hyaena, 20, Capt. William Hargood (1) ; Fly, 16, Com.
William Brown (1); Falcon, 14, Com. James Bissett ; Hound, 14, Com. John
Lawford ; Helena, 14, Com. William Charleton ; and Advice, cutter, Lieut. Edward
Tyrrel.
1 Assistance, 50, Vice-Admiral Sir Eichard King, Capt. John Samuel Smith;
WincMsea, 32, Capt. Eichard Fisher ; Hussar, 28, Capt. Eupert George ; Placentia, \Z,
Lieut, the Hon. Charles Herbert ; and Trepassy, 1 2.
" Minerva, 38, Bear-Admiral Hon. William Cornwallis, Capt. John Whitby (after
April); Perseverance, 36, Capt. Isaac Smith; Phoenix, 36, Capt. Sir Eichard John
Strachan, Bart. ; Atalanta, 14 ; and Swan, 14.
8 Charon, 44, Capt. Edmund Dod.
1793.] INFERIORITY OF THE FRENCH. 19&
fought well, and for the most part with success, in the previous
war ; who were full of experience, and who possessed absolutely
the confidence of the service and of the country. Above all, the
British Navy had fresh, most splendid, and absolutely unbroken
traditions at its immediate back. But the numerically inferior
fleet of the Eepublic was in a very different condition. Discipline
had become partially demoralised by the Eevolution ; many of
ADMIRAL JOHN MACBRIDK.
(From the engraving by James Fittler, after the portrait b;/ J. Northcote, E.A., painted when
Mac'bride was a Captain, 1765-93.)
the old aristocratic officers had been obliged to quit the service ;
most of the new officers were without either experience or
authority ; and monarchical opinions lingered in many a wardroom
and captain's cabin, and rendered obscure the path of duty to
conscientious officers.
In addition to all this Great Britain had, as her naval allies,
soon after the conflict broke out, the Netherlands, which brought
200 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
to the common cause about twelve serviceable ships of the line ;
Spain, which brought about thirty-five ; Portugal, Sardinia, and,
presently, the two Sicilies. It is probably within the mark to
say that the confederacy could, in the early summer of 1793,
dispose of one hundred and seventy-five ships of the line, or much
more than twice as many as France. The broadside weight of
metal of the French line is estimated by James at 73,957 Ibs.,
thrown by 6002 guns ; that of the British contingent alone at
88,957 Ibs., thrown by 8718 guns. Prussia and Austria, which
were almost entirely military powers, were also enemies of the
Eepubhc. Kussia, Denmark, and Sweden were neutral. On the
other hand, France had not a single ally.
The French fleet began to move within two or three weeks
after the declaration of war. Towards the end of February Bear-
Admiral Pierre Cesar Charles Guillaume Sercey sailed from Brest
with three 74-gun ships l and some frigates and small craft for the
West Indies, whence he was to bring home a convoy. At about
the same time, a fleet, drawn from Brest, Lorient, and Kochefort,
began to assemble in Quiberon Bay. It would have been of the
utmost importance to France could a formidable blow have been
struck at the British West India Islands or at British commerce
in the Atlantic. But the hands of the Eepublican government
were bound by the consideration that there was a strong royalist
feeling on many parts of the French littoral, and that there were
signs that Great Britain meditated aiding the monarchists by
making descents in their favour. Thus, although by August Vice-
Admiral Morard de Galles had with him off Belleisle twenty-one
ships of the line and four frigates, he remained in an attitude of
expectancy, and did little or nothing.
Great Britain, also, was at first hampered by what may be
called ulterior considerations. She had to reinforce her squadrons
abroad ; and not until she had done that was she able to send
Lord Howe, with fifteen ships of the line and some frigates and
sloops, to watch the then rapidly increasing force of Morard de
Galles. Howe, with the Channel fleet, sailed from St. Helen's
on July 14th. On the 18th, he had to send back to port the
Bellerophon, 74, which had been damaged by collision with the
Monarch, 74. For her the London, 98, was promptly substituted.
1 Sole, Jupiter, and America. The Phocion, 74, had previously sailed to the West
Indies.
1793.] HOWE'S FIRST CRUISE. 201
On the 23rd, Howe anchored in Torbay. His strength was later
brought up to seventeen ships of the line, nine frigates, and five
small craft ; and with this fleet he went to seek the French, who
were supposed to be lying in wait to cover the convoy expected
from the West Indies under Bear-Admiral Sercey. On the after-
noon of July 31st, the French, then seventeen sail of the line,
were sighted near Belleisle ; but on that day, and again on
August 1st, 2nd, and 3rd, Howe was baffled in his attempts to
get near them ; and, the weather then becoming stormy, the
British had to stand off. On August 10th, they again anchored
in Torbay.
Morard de Galles had, in the meantime, anchored once more
in the Road of Belleisle. There, owing to administrative mis-
management, a mutiny broke out among the seamen, who, in
September, desired Morard de Galles to carry them into Brest,
which they represented as on the point of being surrendered by
its inhabitants to the British. This idea was no doubt inspired
by the knowledge of what, a few weeks earlier, had happened at
Toulon. The Admiral had to yield ; and on the 29th the fleet
anchored in the Road of Brest.
On August 23rd, Howe had weighed from Torbay and sailed
to the westward to escort to sea a convoy for Newfoundland, and
to see home another coming from the West Indies. After a cruise,
he returned to Torbay on September 4th. In October, he detached
a squadron, under Commodore Thomas Pasley, to look for five
French frigates which had chased a British vessel into Falmouth.
On the 27th of that month, with the fleet increased to twenty-two
sail of the line, he himself set out for a cruise in the Bay of Biscay.
Pasley rejoined on November 7th off Scilly ; and on the 17th two
ships of the line parted company, leaving Howe with twenty-two
sail of the line. On November 18th, in lat. 48° 32' N., and
long. 1° 48' W., the Latona, 38, Captain Edward Thornbrough,
signalled a strange squadron, which proved to be Commodore
Vanstabel,1 with six ships of the line, two frigates and two
small craft from Brest,2 under sail in Cancale Bay. The French
at first approached, evidently taking the British fleet for the
1 Pierre Jean Vanstabel. Born at Dunquerque, 1746; served the French East India
Company ; entered the navy, 1778 ; captain, 1793.
3 Tigre, 74, Aquilon, 74, Jean Bart, 74, Tourville, 74, Impe'tueux, 74, Revolution
74, Insurgente, 36, Semillante, 36, Espiegle, and Ballon.
202 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
expected convoy. But they were chased off by the Russell, 74,
Captain John Willett Payne, Audacious, 74, Captain William
Parker (1), Defence, 74, Captain James Gambier (2), Bellerophon, 74,
Captain Thomas Pasley, and Ganges, 74, Captain Anthony James
Pye Molloy. Howe pursued, endeavouring to keep touch with
the enemy by means of his frigates. In the afternoon, the Latona
drew within shot of the two rearmost French frigates, but was
driven off by two French seventy-fours, which went to their
assistance. In their anxiety to get into action several British
ships carried away their topmasts. The enemy was again sighted
on the 19th ; but bad and thick weather interfered with the
operations, and, although Howe cruised until the middle of
December, he failed to fall in with the foe.
M. Vanstabel had sailed from Brest on November 13th with
the following object in view. What had occurred in the Mediter-
ranean will be shown later. Suffice it now to say that Lord Hood
had occupied Toulon in August. The French Government learnt
of a supposed intention of the British Admiralty to despatch Vice-
Admiral Sir John Jervis in November with four sail of the line,
and a convoy conveying stores and troops to reinforce Hood ; and,
in order to intercept Jervis, Vanstabel had been sent to sea with
a squadron of new ships chosen especially for their speed.
But Jervis was not destined for Toulon. He sailed from
St. Helen's on November 26th with three ships of the line, two
44-gun ships, and several frigates, sloops, and transports to aid
the French royalist cause, not in Toulon, but at Martinique.
Vanstabel cruised for a time, but, not finding the expected convoy,
returned to Brest on November 30th, having snapped up part of
a homeward-bound Newfoundland fleet, which recompensed him
for his disappointment. The French seem to have been further
fortunate in that Eear- Admiral Sercey, who had been sent out to
bring home a provision-laden convoy from the West Indies, saw
it safely into Brest.1
At the time of the declaration of war France had a very
powerful fleet in Toulon. To hold it in check, various detachments
were successively sent out from England to the Mediterranean :
one, early in April, under Bear-Admiral John Gell ; a second, on
April 15th, under Vice-Admiral Phillips Cosby ; a third, early in
May, under Vice-Admiral William Hotham ; and a fourth, on
1 Sercey, at least, returned thither with the Eoh, Jupiter, and America.
1793.]
DESIGNS AGAINST TOULON.
203
May 22nd, under Vice-Admiral Lord Hood, who, upon reaching
the station, superseded Hear- Admiral Samuel Granston Goodall
as Commander-in-Chief. Hood arrived off Toulon in the middle
of August, when his force consisted of the twenty-one or twenty-
two sail of the line, and the other vessels mentioned in the note.1
The French had in the port, ready for sea, one 120, one 80,
and fifteen 74's, besides one 120, one 80, and two 74's refitting,
two 80's and seven 74's repairing, or needing repair, and one 74
building — a total of thirty-one ships of the line, in addition to
twenty-seven frigates and corvettes.2 The French naval com-
1 Fleet under Vice-Admiral Lord Hood, employed at Toulon and on other services
August to December, 1793 : — •
Ships.
! Guns.
Commanders.
Ships.
Guns.
Commanders .
Vice-Admiral Samuel,
Agamemnon
64
Capt. Horatio Nelson.
Lord Hood (R).
St. Albaits 2 . . .
64
„ James Vashon.
Victory ....
100
Rear- Admiral Sir Hyde
Parker (2) (W). 1st 1
liomney ....
"
50
36
„ Hon William Paget.
f „ John Nicholson
Capt.
\ Inglefleld.
Capt. John Knight (2).
'
36
f „ Augustus Mont-
Britannia
100
|Vice-Admiral William
Hotham (W).
Jeda
36
i gomery.
,, George Campbell.
[Capt. John Hollowav.
Vice-Admiral Phillips
tiomuliis
Isis
36
,, John Sutton.
„ George Lumsdaine.
Cosby ( B).
Juno . .
32
,, Samuel Hood (2).
Windsor Castle
98
Capt. Sir Thomas Byard,
Kt.
Aimablti
32
f ,, Sir Harry Burrard,
1 Bt.
1 Rear-Admiral Samuel
Lowestqft
32
„ William Wolseley.
Princess Royal .
98
Granston Goodall (R).
Capt. John Child Purvis.
Meleagtr,
Mermaid
32
32
„ Charles Tyler.
„ John Trigge.
St. George . . .
98
1 Rear-Admiral John
Gell (B).
('apt. Thomas Foley.
Comniod. Robert Liny.ee. 3
Aquilou 2 ...
Castor? ....
32
32
f „ Hon. Robert Stop-
\ ford.
( „ Thomas Trou-
{ bridge.
Alcide ....
74
ICapt. John Woodley.
Dido
28
( „ Sir Charles Hamil-
( „ SkefBngton Lut-
t ton, Bt.
Terrible ....
74
widge.
( ,, Lord Amelins
f ., Archibald Dick-
A'emesis ....
28
{ Beauclerk.
Egmont . .'. .
74
son (1)
28
l „ Thomas Francis
Robust ....
74
„ Hon. George Keith
Elphiustone.
Tartar ....
Amphitrite .
24
1 Freuiantle.
,, Anthony Hunt.
f „ Hon. William
Bulldo{/2 . . .
14
Com. George Hope (1).
Courageui .
74
Waldegrave (i).4
Dolphin, hosp. ship
44
„ James May.
Bedford ....
Berwick
74
74
„ Robert Man (3).
„ SirJohn('ollins,Kt.
Gorgon, st. ship .
44
f „ Charles William
\ .- Paterson.
Captain ....
Fortitude . . .
74
74
„ Samuel Reeve.
„ William Young(l).
Camel, st. ship.
20
f ,, Itenjamiu Hallo-
\ well.«
Leviatttan .
74
„ Hon. Hugh Sey-
mour Con way.*
Fury 2 . . . .
14
12
„ Frank Sotheron.
,. William Taylor.
Colossus ....
It
,, Charles Morice
Pole.
Speedy ....
14
/ „ Charles Cunning-
\ ham.
Illustrious .
74
f „ Thomas Lenox
Frederick.
Scout, brig .
14
20
„ Joseph Hanwell.
< ,. George Henry
„ Robert Manners
Eclair ....
1 Towry.
Ardent ....
. ,
64
Sutton.
' „ Andrew Suther-
Tisiplu/ne . .
12
/ „ Thomas Byam
i Martin.
Diadem ....
64
land.
Conflagration, f.s. .
14
,. Edward Browne.
,, Hon. Charles Car-
Vulcan, f.s..
14
,. John Matthews.7
Intrepid 1 .
64
penter.
1 Appears not to have joined until the eud of August.
2 Employed on convoy service, etc.
3 Appointed in September.
« When he went home with dispatches, Capt. John Matthews acted.
s When he went home with dispatches, Capt. Benjamin Hallowell acted.
• Later, Com. Joseph Short.
7 Later, Com. Charles Hare.
2 French ships of the line at Toulon, distinguishing their fate : — BUBNT OR
DESTROYED: Triomphant, 80; Destin, 74; Centaure, 74; Duguay Trouin, 74; fferos,
204
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1793.
mander was Eear-Admiral the Comte de Trogoff, a warm royalist.
Many of his officers were royalists also ; and a large part of the
population of the neighbourhood shared their opinions.
On August 22nd, two envoys came off from Marseilles to Hood's
flagship, the Victory, to treat for the surrender of the port and
shipping of Toulon to the British, with a view to aiding the
re-establishment of a monarchical government in France. These
ADMIRAL JOHN HOLLOW AY.
(From an engraved portrait by H. R. Cook, when Hollowau was a Vice-Admiral, 1804-9.)
74; Liberte(es.-Dictateur),74:; Suffisaut, 74; Themistode, 74 ; Tricolor (ex-lys), 74.
TAKEN AND FITTED OUT BY THE BRITISH : Commerce de Marseilles, 120 ; Pompee, 74 ;
Puissant, 74 ; Scipion, 74. LEFT TO THE FRENCH : Dauphin Royal (later Sans
Culotte), 120; Tonnant, 80; Languedoc (later Victoire), 80; Couronne (later Ca Ira),
80; Heureux, 74; Commerce de Bardeaux (later Timoleon), 74; Mercure, 74; Con-
querant, 74 ; Barras, 74 ; Alcide, 74 ; Censeur, 74 ; Guerrier, 74 ; Souverain (later
Souverain Peuple), 74 ; Genereux, 74 ; Entreprenant, 74 ; Apollon (later Gasparin),
74 ; Orion (later Trente et Un Mai), 74 ; Patriots, 74. The frigates and small craft
carried off by the British were : Arethuse (later Undaunted), 40 ; Topaze, 40 ; Perle
(later Amethyst), 36; Aurore, 36; Lutine, 36; Poulette, 28; Belette, 28; Proselyte, 24;
Mozelle, 20; Mulet, 18; Sincere, 18; and Tarleton, 14.
1793.] OCCUPATION OF TOULON. 205
envoys represented that Toulon and its inhabitants agreed with
their views and would also send off delegates to the Victory, though,
as subsequently appeared, they had somewhat overstated the case.
The delegates never arrived. In Toulon the state of parties was
somewhat more evenly balanced than the people of Marseilles
believed. Hood, however, at once publicly declared that, if Toulon
were placed in his hands, the people of Provence should be assisted
in securing their desire ; and he also called upon the local population
to rally to the monarchy. In the meantime, Rear-Admiral Saint-
Julien, a republican, second-in-command of the fleet at Toulon,
declared against Trogoff, and was instrumental in preventing the
Toulon delegates from going on board the Victory. As the expected
representatives did not arrive, Hood, on the 24th, sent Lieutenant
/
SIGNATURE OF LORD HOOD, AS VICE-ADMIRAL.
Edward Cooke, of the Victory, to the town to ascertain the state
of affairs there. This officer, by the exercise of great tact, managed
to get into the dockyard at night, but was not permitted to land
until the following morning. He was then taken before the
royalist committee, which agreed to Hood's proposals. On his
way back Cooke was arrested, but was rescued by the mob. He
afterwards made a second trip, returning on the evening of the
26th with Captain Baron d'Imbert of the Apollon, 74, as Eoyalist
Special Commissioner. D'Imbert assured Hood that Louis XVII.
had been proclaimed in the town ; whereupon Hood decided to
land troops and to take possession of the various works com-
manding the ships in the road. It should, perhaps, be mentioned
that, on the 25th, Marseilles had been compelled to open its gates
to the French Eepublican general, Cartaux.
Saint Julien, in whose favour the republican seamen had
superseded Trogoff,1 had already occupied and manned the forts
1 Trogoff had been seized with an attack of gout, which was probably of a
diplomatic type.- — ' Mems. p. serv. a 1'Hist. de Toulon en 1793.'
206 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
on the west side of the harbour. Hood on the 27th landed 1500
troops and about 200 seamen and Marines under Captain the
Hon. George Keith Elphinstone, of the Robust, to take possession
of Fort La Malgue,1 on the east side ; and Saint Julien was then
informed that such ships as did not at once proceed to the
inner harbour and land their powder, would be treated as enemies.
Saint Julien, and about 5000 French seamen, promptly abandoned
the fleet, and took refuge inland ; and the French ships as a body
then moved to the inner harbour, while the British, and a Spanish
contingent of seventeen ships of the line which had just arrived
under Admiral Don Juan de Langara, anchored in the outer
road. On the same day Hood issued a fresh proclamation to the
inhabitants ; and on the 28th he received a satisfactory address
from the civil and military authorities ashore. On that day Spanish
reinforcements were landed at La Malgue ; and Hood appointed
Rear-Admiral Goodall to be governor of Toulon, and the Spanish
Rear- Admiral Gravina to be military commandant.
During this time the French republican army had approached
from the direction of Marseilles ; and 011 August 31st, its advance
guard was defeated and driven back from Ollioules by the British
and Spanish under Captain Elphinstone.
In September, Cartaux's army from the west, and Lapoype's
from the east, gathered round the town and perpetually annoyed the
allies, whose difficulties were increased by the turbulent behaviour
of the French seamen, lately belonging to the ships in harbour.
Hood deported these on September 14th, sending them off under
flags of truce in the French 74-gun ships Orion, Apollon, Patriote,
and Entreprenant, the first going to Rochefort, the second to
Lorient, and the third and fourth to Brest. He also sent the brig
Pluvier, 16, to Bordeaux.
On the 18th the republicans opened two masked batteries at
the head of the north-west arm of the inner road near La Petite
Garenne, upon the prize frigate Aurore, 36, Captain Henry Inman,
and a gunboat, which had been stationed near the Poudriere, to
defend the head of the harbour and to cover Fort Malbousquet. On
the 19th they opened another battery ; and the St. George, 98, Rear-
Admiral Gell, Captain Thomas Foley, and a second gunboat moved
up to assist the Aurore. The gunboats, however, were presently
obliged to slip their cables; but on the 20th they returned to
1 Possession was not actually taken till the 28th.
' /
tt>, Surf. Jfji.
t XV S0n
1793.]
DEFENCE OF TOULON.
207
the attack, and one of them was subsequently sunk by the enemy's
fire. Eear-Admiral Gell was later detached to command the British,
Spanish, and French Eoyalist squadron bound for Genoa ; and the
place of the St. George was taken on the 24th by the Princess
Royal, 98, Captain John Child Purvis. A Spanish 74 also co-
operated ; and so the engagement went on day after day, at
intervals, for several weeks. In the course of that time troops
were brought from various quarters by ships which had been
detached for the purpose ; and the Neapolitan 74-gun ships,
Guiscardo and Tancredi, arrived. On the night of the 30th the
TOULON : FROM A PLAN IN THE " LONDON MAGAZINE.
(Many of the names are misspelt; tut all should be recognisable.)
French seized the heights of Faron ; but on the following day
they were driven from them with great slaughter by Brigadier-
General Lord Mulgrave, Eear-Admiral Gravina and Captain Elphin-
stone. Napoleon Bonaparte took a prominent part in this affair,
and, it is also interesting to note, Nelson was present in the port in
command of the Agamemnon. On October 5th the Neapolitan 74,
Samnita, escorting more troops, came into the harbour ; and on the
8th it was resolved to attempt the destruction of certain batteries
which the French had recently erected to threaten the shipping.
They were carried that night by a detachment of British, Spanish,
Piedmontese and Neapolitans, with a British naval brigade, under
208 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
Lieutenant Walter Serocold ; and the guns, which it was found
impossible to remove, were destroyed.
But the circle of works to be held by the allies was large ; there
were only 2100 British troops in the place; and there was much
friction, and even jealousy, between the Spanish and British. On
one occasion de Langara even went so far as to covertly threaten
Lord Hood. Reinforcements of men were obtained from the Grand
Master of Malta ; and other troops dribbled in from Naples and
Sicily, till, at the beginning of November, the allies had a nominal
force of little fewer than 17,000 men in the place. But only 12,000
were fit for duty, and three-fourths of them had to be actually on the
line of defence. Moreover, they were of five different nationalities.
On the other hand, there were, round Toulon, at least 30,000 men
under General Dugommier. Nevertheless, the allies won some
slight successes at Balaguier, on the night of November 15th ; but
on the 30th they received a severe check in an attempt upon a
work opposite Fort Malbousquet. Early in December the besieging
army had increased to at least 45,000 men, while the available
strength of the besieged was less than 11,000 men, the majority
being distributed over a line of works fifteen miles in length. On
the night of December 14th, while a storm was raging, the French
approached the works at three different points simultaneously, and
began their final operations. By the afternoon of the 17th they
had seized Fort Mulgrave on the height of Balaguier, and had made
themselves masters of the works on Faron, so that the line of
defence was broken in two essential places. Many of the ships had
at once to unmoor and retire to safer points.
A council-of-war, composed of the allied naval and military
commanders, was instantly held, and it was unanimously determined
to evacuate Toulon as soon as the necessary arrangements could be
made to carry off such ships, and with them such of the royalist
insurgents, as could be taken away ; and to destroy the remaining
vessels, with the arsenal and magazine. So decided was the
advantage gained by the besiegers that the council-of-war was
anxious to begin these measures that very night. Admiral de
Langara undertook personally to see to part of the destruction.
The troops from the further posts were speedily yet quietly with-
drawn; but the orderly evacuation of Forts Malbousquet and
Miessiesy was prevented by a panic which seized on some
Neapolitan soldiers, who retired to their ships in great confusion.
1793.] EVACUATION OF TOULON. 209
By the evening of the 18th, however, all the remaining troops
were withdrawn into the town and Fort La Malgue, ready to be
emharked as soon as the burning of the ships should announce
that the right moment had arrived.
The important task of destroying the shipping and magazines
was entrusted, at his own request, to Captain Sir William Sidney
Smith, K.N., who had come as a volunteer in the Swalloiv, a little
vessel purchased and manned by himself at Smyrna. On the
afternoon of the 18th, with the Swallow, and three Spanish and
three British gunboats, he entered the inner harbour, and in spite
of falling shot and shell from the batteries of the besiegers, of the
threatening attitude of a number of liberated galley slaves, and
finally, of a heavy fire from the approaching French troops, he
began his business at about 8 P.M. The Vulcan, fireship, Com-
mander Charles Hare, was towed into the basin, and placed in the
most advantageous position athwart the tier of French men-of-war
SIGNATURE OF CAPT. THE HON. GEORGE KEITH ELPHINSTONE, LATER ADMIRAL
VISCOUNT KEITH.
there. At 10 P.M. she, and all the trains laid to the magazines
and storehouses, were simultaneously fired, upon signal being
made. Instantly a gigantic blaze burst forth. By its light the
British hurriedly sought to complete their mission of ruin, while
the French from without, drawing ever nearer, sought to slay
•or drive off the destroyers. The excitement and danger of the
situation seem to have proved too much for the Spaniards, who
were co-operating with Smith. They have even, and with some
show of reason, been accused of deliberate treachery. Instead of
scuttling the Iris, 32,1 which was laden with an immense quantity
of powder, they fired her, and she blew up with a tremendous
explosion, smashing to pieces the British gunboat Union, and
another vessel, which lay near her. Providentially only three of
the Union's people were killed, the rest being picked up. When
Smith had finished his work in the dockyard to the westward, he
1 Taken by the French from the British in 1779.
VOL. IV. P
210 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
tried to enter the inner basin, which lies in front of the town quay
and to the eastward of the arsenal ; but its mouth had been boomed,
and he could not get in. He destroyed, however, the Heros and
TMmistocle, 74's, in the inner road ; and then, having done all he
could, he was about to retire, when a second powder vessel, the
Montreal, 32,1 blew up close to him, fortunately, however, causing
no serious damage to the British. Half dead from the effects of
heat and fatigue, Smith and his party went back to the fleet, Forts
Balaguier and Aiguillette sending a few shots after them.
Among the number of officers who assisted Smith in this critical
service were Commanders Charles Hare and William Edge (of the
prize sloop Albert, which was destroyed), and Lieutenants Charles
Tupper, Kichard Holloway, Matthew Wrench, John Gore, Thomas
Foord Eichmond, John Melhuish, Ealph Willett Miller, Charles.
Dudley Pater, John Stiles, Eobert Gambier Middleton, Joseph
Priest, Francis Cox, James Morgan and Henry Hill. The loss,
was slight.
On the outburst of the conflagration in the dockyard the
evacuation of the town had begun under the direction of Captains
the Hon. J. K. Elphinstone, of the Robust, Benjamin Hollowell
of the Leviathan, and John Matthews of the Courageux ; and all
the troops were on board the fleet by daylight on the 19th, having
lost not a single man in the process of withdrawal. A British
fireship, the Conflagration, being under repair, could not be moved,
and was burnt to save her from falling into the hands of the enemy.
The Robust was the rearmost ship as the fleet quitted the harbour.
During the operations ashore, as well as afloat, the seamen behaved
most admirably.
The fleet carried off 14,877 of the royalist population : it could
not take on board more. The fate of those who were perforce left
behind was terrible. Pursued by the victorious Eepublicans to the
quay, men, women and children were shot down or bayoneted
ruthlessly by hundreds, perhaps by thousands. Some rushed
frantically into the water after the retreating boats of the allies, and
were drowned. The French Government had deliberately decreed
the death of all the inhabitants, and the demolition of the town.
General Dugommier protested ; but the Eepublican Deputies, not
content with the slaughter by the troops, held daily executions,
1 Captured from the Americans by the British, and, from them, by the French,
in 1781.
1793.]
DESTRUCTION OF FRENCH SHIPS.
211
until, so it was estimated, over 6000 of the Toulonnais had, in one
way or another, paid the penalty.
The work of destruction was but badly done by the allies Of
bhirty-one French ships of the line in port nine only were burnt
nk, and four only carried off; so that no fewer than eighteen
mcludmg the four which had been despatched to Atlantic ports'
e refractory seamen, remained to the Republicans ' Of the
ADM!RAL BIB SAMUEL HOOD (1), VISCOUNT HOOD, DART., G.C.B.
(.From the portrait b,, Sir J. Iteunolds.)
twenty-seven frigates and corvettes, five were destroyed, fifteen were
earned off, and seven left to the Eepublicans. Still looking L
he suddenness of the events which compelled the hasty evacua
t.on, to the jealousy and treachery of the Spaniards and Io the
cowardice of the Neapolitans at the last moment, t is prh p
astomshmg that so much was done as was done.'
For the names, see note on pp 203-1
" ': <Hr de I>A™& desB-"-
Corresp. de Trogoff (Sect. Hist.de la
P 2
212 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [17U3.
Hood detached from Toulon in September a small squadron1
under Commodore Robert Linzee, who, after a vain endeavour to
raise the Eoyalists at Ville Franche, stood across to Corsica, the
garrisons of which he had been ordered to reduce if they should not
declare in favour of the monarchy. A few peasants came down to
the shore in the country districts and gladly accepted arms and
ammunition from the squadron ; but Calvi, San Fiorenzo, and
Bastia, the strong places of the island, made no signs of amity.
It was obviously impossible for Linzee, with but three ships of
the line and two frigates, to attempt to blockade three separate
parts. But the Commodore decided to do something, and began
operations with an attack on the defences of Forneilli, a post
about two miles from San Fiorenzo, which town lies at the head
of a deep bay near the north end of the island. At the mouth of
this bay, on the west shore, stood a remarkable tower, said to be
the first of its kind, a Martello, or, more properly, a Mortella tower.
It was a nearly cylindrical stone building, having one 24-pounder and
two 18-pounder guns on its summit. The only means of entrance
was by a door about twenty feet up the wall. After a couple
of broadsides from the Lowestoft, the enemy abandoned the tower,
which was taken possession of by boats under Lieutenants John
Oibb and Francis Charles Annesley. The squadron then entered,
and anchored in, the bay ; but instead of at once attacking Forneilli,
Linzee, for some unexplained reason, delayed until October 1st,
when the garrison had perfected its preparations. Fire was opened
on the main redoubt at 3.30 A.M. on that day by the Ardent,
followed by the Alcide and.' Ccxrageiix ; but no visible effect was
produced on the work; and at 8.15A.M. the Commodore signalled
the ships to haul out of gunshot. The Courageux and Ardent had
both suffered severely, and had lost, the former, Lieutenant Ludlow
Sheils and 1 seaman killed, and 13 people wounded, and the latter
14 killed and 17 wounded. The guns opposed to the ships on this
occasion were thirteen 24-pcunders, two 8-pounders, and one
4-pounder, with six heavy mortars, mounted, some in the redoubt,
and some near the town.
Marine); 'Hevol. Royaliste de Toulon' (d'Imbert); 'Rapport sur la Trahison,' etc.
(J. B. Saint- And re) ; Monittur, and other contemporary journals. In addition to the
jiublished British authorities.
1 Alcide, 74, Commod. Robert Liu/ee, Capt. John Woodley ; Courageux, 74, Capt.
John Matthews ; Ardent, 64, Capt. Robert Manners Sutton ; Lowtstoft, 32, Capt.
William Wolseley ; and Nemesis, 28, Capt. Lord Amelius Beauclerk.
1793.] OPERATIONS AT GENOA AND SPEZZIA. 213
Apart from the French fleet at Toulon there were, cruising in
the Mediterranean, one 74-gun ship, twelve frigates, and four
corvettes, belonging to the French Toulon fleet. Of these two-
were captured by a detachment which Hood, while at Toulon,
had sent in search of them. The Modeste, 36, was discovered by
the Bedford, 74, Captain, 74, and Speedy, 14, on October 5th,
with two armed tartans, at anchor within the moie of Genoa.
The French party being strong in the city, it was decided not to
respect the nominal neutrality of the port ; and in the afternoon,
therefore, the British ships stood in, and the Bedford, Captain
Eobert Man (3), warping herself close to the Modeste, boarded and
carried her, while the boats of the Speedy, Commander Charles-
Cunningham, took and brought off the tartans. The Captain,
Captain Samuel Reeve, afterwards proceeded to Spezzia Bay,
where the Imperieuse, 38, was known to be lying. On the morning
of October 12th, Reeve towed in his ship and moored her close to-
the frigate, and to the battery of Santa Maria ; and at 8 A.M. the
Captain's boats took possession of the Frenchman, which was
found to be abandoned and scuttled. The Imperieuse, however,
was weighed and, tinder the name of the Unite, there being already
an Imperieuse in the service, was added to the Royal Navy.
On more distant stations hostilities began very early in the
year. On May 7th, in pursuance of instructions from home, a small
military force was embarked at Halifax, and, convoyed by the
Alligator, 28, Captain William Affleck, and the Diligente, an armed
schooner, captured the French islands of St. Pierre and Miquelon
without resistance on May 14th.
In pursuance of other instructions from home, a military force
embarked on April 12th at Bridgetown, Barbados, on board the
Trusty, 50, Vice-Admiral Sir John Laforey, Captain John Drew,
Nautilus, 16, Commander Lord Henry Paulet, Hind, armed
schooner, and Hero, merchantman, and, on the 14th, was landed
on the French island of Tobago. The governor refused to sur-
render, and at 1 P.M. on the 15th the fort of Scarborough was
carried by assault, the British losing only 3 killed and 25 wounded.
The island then capitulated.
An attempt upon Martinique in co-operation with some French
royalists was less successful. It was made by Rear- Admiral Alan
Gardner's squadron, which included the Queen, 98, Captain John
Hutt, Duke, 98, Captain the Hon. George Murray (2), Hector, 74,
MAJOR OPEEATIOKS, 1793-1802. [1793.
Captain George Montagu, and Monarch, 74, Captain Sir James
Wallace, troops from Barbados co-operating under Major-General
Bruce. The attack miscarried owing to some misunderstanding,
but many of the French Koyalists were taken off. Those, how-
ever, who remained met, it is to be feared, with heavy punishment
for having assisted the cause of the enemies of republican France.
On the Jamaica station Commodore John Ford was encouraged
by Koyalist overtures from San Domingo to attempt Jeremie and
St. Nicolas Mole. Taking on board troops at Port Koyal on
September 9th, he proceeded, with his broad pennant in the
Europa, 50, Captain George Gregory, to Jeremie, where he arrived
on September 19th. Accompanying him were the Goelan,1 14,
Commander Thomas Wolley and the Flying Fish, schooner. The
British were welcomed with joy, and the place was taken possession
of in the name of the French crown. On the 21st the Commodore
was off St. Nicolas Mole, which was found to be in expectation of
an assault from a body of blacks and mulattoes. He induced the
place to capitulate ; and, later in the year, he received the surrender
of other towns in the island, including Leogane.
Information of the outbreak of war reached Fort George on
June 1st, and Fort William on June llth. The French were
almost powerless in India ; and Chandernagore, Carical, Mahe,
and other ports were summoned, and yielded without resistance.
But when Colonel Prosper de Clermont, governor of Pondicherry,
was summoned on August 1st, he refused to capitulate. The town
was, therefore, bombarded on and after August 20th, and on the
23rd it was induced to surrender. During the brief siege, the
Minerva, 38, Bear- Admiral the Hon. William Cornwallis, Captain
John Whitby, assisted by three East Indiamen, blockaded the port
and on one occasion drove off the French frigate Cybele, Captain
Pierre Julien Trehouart, which, with three smaller vessels, en-
deavoured to throw supplies and reinforcements into th§ town.
"During the year 1793," says James, " the British cruisers had effected the capture
or destruction of 140 French armed vessels, including 52 belonging to the national
navy. Of the national ships, but 35 were captured ; and, out of these, 30 were added
to the British Navy, exclusive of six of the 88 captured privateers. On the other hand,
the loss sustained by the latter was comparatively slight, including but four vessels,
and not one of these above a small 32-gun frigate."
The war had therefore begun well, although there had been no
general engagement between the combatants.
1 Such was the Navy List's rendering of the French Gotland, i.e., Seagull.
1794.] REORGANISATION OF THE FRENGH NAVY. 215
After the French Brest fleet had returned to that port from off
Belleisle in September, 1793, the French republican Government
remorselessly weeded out all officers and men who were believed
to be disaffected to the new order of things. M. Louis Thomas
Villaret-Joyeuse, previously a lieutenant,1 was promoted to be rear-
admiral, and was given command-in-chief in place of M. Morard
de Galles. He hoisted his flag in the Montague, a 120-gun three-
decker, which had been previously known as the Cote d'Or, and still
earlier as the Etats de Bourgogne. It was at about that time that
the tricolour was adopted as the French national ensign. It was
not believed in Paris that either the spirit of the officers and men
or the ability of Villaret was sufficient to insure that the fine fleet
assembled at Brest would do its duty. The deputy, Jean Bon Saint
Andre, induced the National Convention to adopt a decree declaring
that the captain and officers of any ship of the line belonging to
the Eepublic who should haul down the national colours to the
vessels, however numerous, of an enemy, unless the French ship
should be shattered so as to be in danger of sinking before the
crew could be saved, should be pronounced traitors to their country
and suffer death ; and that the captain and officers of any frigate,
corvette, or smaller vessel, who should surrender to a force double
their own, unless their ship was reduced to the before-mentioned
extremity, should be punished in the same manner. Eventually
Jean Bon Saint Andre himself accompanied the fleet to sea, in
order to encourage or terrorise the officers and men into doing their
best for the Eepublic.
The British Channel Fleet had lain at anchor during the winter ;
yet it had cruisers near the French coast, and it was always ready
to put to sea on receipt of news that the Brest fleet had come out.
But, as the spring drew on, additional duties claimed its services.
Large convoys were preparing to sail for the East and West
Indies, and for Newfoundland, and these had to be seen clear of
the Channel ; and a large French-American convoy, under Rear-
Admiral Vanstabel, laden with stores, which were greatly needed
1 Previous to the reorganisation of the French navy under the Republic, both
Vilhiret-Joyeuse and Bouvet were merely lieutenants, and Nielly was only a sub-
lieutenant. Of the twenty-six captains commanding French ships of the line on the
glorious First of June, but one had been a captain under the monarchy. Of the rest,
f..ur had been lieutenants, ten sub-lieutenants, one a petty officer, and one a seaman in
the navy ; two had been merchant captains, and seven had bsen pilots, merchant mates,
masters of coasting craft, etc. — Guerin, vi. 503, 504.
216 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [17U4.
in France, was known to be on its way home, and this had to
be, if possible, intercepted. The British outward-bound convoy
assembled at St. Helen's by May 2nd. On that day it weighed,
and on the 4th, being off the Lizard, it was ordered by Lord
Howe, the Conimander-in-Chief, to part company with him, Rear-
Admiral George Montagu (B.) being directed, with six 74-gun ships
and two frigates, to accompany it as far as the latitude of Cape
Finisterre, and Captain Peter Eainier, with the Suffolk, 74, one
64, and four or five frigates, being directed to see it further on its
voyage. These detachments reduced the fleet to twenty-six sail
of the line, seven frigates, one hospital ship, two fireships, one
sloop, and two cutters. Howe then made for, and early on the 5th
arrived off, Ushant. He sent the Phaeton and Latona, covered by
the Orion, round the island to ascertain if the French fleet were
still in port, and they discovered the enemy to be at anchor in
Brest Road. Howe realised that there was great probability of
the French coming out to extend their protection to the expected
convoy from America, and therefore he made for the latitude
through which the latter would be likely to pass. From the 5th
to the 18th he cruised in the Bay, but saw nothing of the French.
On the 19th, having returned off Ushant, he again ordered the
Phaeton and Latona to reconnoitre the anchorage, which was
found to be empty ; and the reconnoitring vessels came back with
the information, derived from an American craft, that the French
had sailed some days previously.
Rear-Admiral Vanstabel had left Brest on September 26th,
1793, with the Jean Bart, 74, Tigre, 74, two frigates and a brig,
subsequently reinforced by two sail of the line, to bring home the
American convoy. He had reached Virginia in February, 1794,
and had sailed on his return on April 2nd, with a merchant fleet
of 117 sail. On May 6th, Rear-Admiral Joseph Marie Nielly with
the Sans Pareil, 80, the Audacieux, Patriots, Temeraire, and
Trajan, 74's, and several frigates and corvettes, including the
Republicaine, Inconnue, and Maire Guiton, had left Rochefort to
meet Vanstabel and his convoy, and to see him into port. On
May 16th, the main French fleet under Villaret, consisting of 25
ships of the line and a contingent of frigates and corvettes, had sailed
from Brest with a fair north-east wind, its object being the same
as that of Nielly's division, namely, the safety of the American
convoy. It has since been established that on May 17th, during
1794.] HOW^S ANXIETY FOR MONTAGU. 217
a fog, the French and British fleets were quite close to one another.
On the 18th, however, when the fog lifted, they had passed out of
sight.
On the 19th, Villaret was joined by the Patriote, of Nielly's
ijt^dron, with the information that Nielly had captured the
Castor, 32, Captain Thomas Troubridge, and a large part of a
British Newfoundland convoy ; and on the same day Villaret
himself took part of a Dutch Lisbon convoy.
On the 19th, also, the Venus, 32, Captain William Brown (1),
from Bear-Admiral Montagu's squadron, joined Howe with the
news that Montagu, having parted company with the East India
convoy on the llth, had afterwards cruised in search of the French
American convoy, and had, on the 15th, captured the Maire Guiton
of Nielly's squadron, and recaptured ten sail of the Newfoundland
convoy. Montagu had learned from these captures that Nielly and
Vanstabel were likely to unite, and that their strength would then
be nine ships of the line, besides several frigates and corvettes ; and
he had, therefore, detached the Venus to request reinforcements,
while he himself steered in a direction which, he believed, would
enable him to intercept Vanstabel before Nielly could join him, or
to receive the solicited reinforcement in time to give him power to
strike at Nielly and Vanstabel united, should they join.
Howe, from information in his possession as to the course of
Villaret, came to the conclusion that Montagu was in danger ; and
on the 20th, at 4 A.M., he made sail with the intention of joining his
subordinate. Early in the morning of the 21st he sighted that part
of the Dutch Lisbon convoy which had been taken by the French
main fleet, and, in the course of the morning, he took and burnt
more than half of it. The convoy had quitted Villaret on the 19th
in lat. 47° 46' N. and long. 11° 22' W.
As, therefore, the French were probably quite close to him,
Howe abandoned his intention of joining Montagu,1 and went in
pursuit of the enemy. He was, however, eventually driven too
much to the south. At 8 A.M. on the 23rd he came upon some
captured Dutch vessels, which had parted from the French fleet on
1 Howe has been blamed for not having adopted measures to secure the junction
with him of Montagu, when he had determined not himself to seek further for that
officer. He might have sent frigates to look for him. Even then, however, he could
not have ensured the presence of Montagu ere the meeting with the French fleet. On
the other hand, any detachment of frigates would have weakened himself, and might
have resulted iu leading the enemy to Montagu.
218 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
the 21st. The wind then favoured him ; and on the 24th, at noon,
the British were within a few miles of where the 'French were
estimated to have been on the 21st, namely in lat. 47° 34' N. and
long. 13° 55' W. The British held a course about W.S.W. till
4 P.M. on the 25th, when a French 74, towing a merchant brig, was
discovered far to windward, and two other strange ships were seen
to the eastward. The brig was taken and proved to be an American.
The 74, which cast off and escaped, was found to be the Audacieux
on her way to join the Brest fleet from Nielly's squadron, which she
had quitted only on the previous evening. She subsequently reached
Villaret in safety. The two strange sail, the Bepublicaine, 20, and
Inconnue, 16, which were also from Nielly's squadron, were taken ;
and as Howe did not desire to weaken his force by sending away
prize crews, they were burnt.
The fleet tacked in chase, and, at noon on the 25th, again hauled
on the starboard tack with the wind at N. by E. At dawn on the
26th it tacked once more, and at noon, when the wind had changed
to W. by S., it steered to the north. On the 27th, at 9 A.M., Howe
bore up, and ran to the eastward, with the wind then on his star-
board quarter. On the 28th, at about 6.30 A.M., being, as the
following noon observation showed, in lat. 47° 34' N. and long.
13° 39' W., with a fresh wind from S. by W. and a rough sea, the
British look-out frigates signalled a fleet to windward. At 8.15 A.M.
Rear-Admiral Pasley, with the weathermost division, consisting of
his ship, the Bellerophon, and the Russell, Marlborough, and
Thunderer, was ordered to reconnoitre ; and at 9 A.M. the strangers,
who had wore, were seen bearing down under topgallant sails.
Upon that, Howe signalled to prepare for action, and, having re-
called his frigates, directed Pasley, at 9.45, to shorten sail. At
10 A.M. the French fleet, of twenty-six sail of the line and five
frigates, being then within nine or ten miles, hauled to the wind on
the larboard tack, and lay to. A little later it formed a rather
ragged line ahead. The British ships were ordered to wear in
succession ; and at 10.35 they came to on the larboard tack and
pressed to windward in two divisions, with Pasley's division as a
flying squadron. At 11.10 a signal was made to the effect that
there would be time for the men to have dinner.
Soon after one o'clock the French filled, made sail, and began to
tack. At 1.30 Howe ordered Pasley to annoy the enemy's rear, and
at 1.45, as the French appeared to be inclined to make off, Howe
1794.]
HOWE ON MAY 28ZY7.
2iy
ordered a general chase, signalling soon afterwards for the ships to
engage the enemy as they came up with him.
At 2.40 the Russell, which was nearly a mile to windward of the
rest of Pasley's division, fired a few rounds at the rearmost French
ships as they hauled on the starboard tack, and was fired at by
them. Just before 3 P.M., the enemy's rear ship being immediately
abeam of her, the Bellerophon tacked ; and soon afterwards th
ADMIRAL SIB THOMAS PASLKY, BA11T.
(From nil engrailing bij Roberts, after the painting by J. F. Abbot.)
whole British fleet did the same by signal, except the Russell,
Marlborough, Thunderer, and frigates, which, in order to get into
the wake of the French fleet, then close hauled on the starboard
tack in line ahead with a fresh and squally wind from the south,
stood on for a short time longer. A little after 5 P.M. the French
van and centre shortened sail to allow the Revolutionnaire, 110,
which was rapidly falling astern, to regain her station. This,
however, she did not do ; and at 6 P.M. the Bellerophon, by excellent
seamanship, got near enough to her to open fire. It would almost
220 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
appear that the Revolutionnaire, in defiance of signals, assumed the
rearmost position out of sheer devilry on the part of her captain,
M. Vandangel. At 6.30 the Marlborough, which, with the Eussell
and Thunderer, was then on the Bellerophon's weather quarter, was
signalled to engage the rear of the French, who, immediately before,
had made sail. The Bellerophon, being damaged aloft, was obliged
to take in her main topsail, and, after an hour and a half's unsup-
ported action, informed the Commander-in-Chief that she was unable
to continue the engagement, and bore up. By that time the Russell,
Thunderer, and Marlborough, which had tacked their maintopsails,
were firing at long range at the Revolutionnaire, and at the ships
next ahead of her. The French three-decker had lost her mizen
mast, and had suffered considerable damage ; and she therefore wore
round and put before the wind. No sooner had she done so than
she was engaged by the Leviathan, which, with the Audacious,
Captain William Parker, had passed to windward of the disabled
Bellerophon. At 7.30 Howe signalled to assist the ships engaged,
and, a little later, repeated the order and hoisted the pennants of the
Marlborough and Russell. In the interval the Leviathan continued
to engage the Revolutionnaire until the Audacious got up. The
Leviathan then passed on, and fired a broadside at the next French
ship ; but at 8 P.M. she dropped dowii towards the body of the
British fleet, signals having been made, to the Bellerophon, Levia-
than, Russell, and Marlborough, to relinquish the chase, and, to the
fleet, to foim a line ahead and astern as most convenient.
The Audacious, on the Revolutionnaire 's lee quarter, fired
heavily. The Russell, until recalled, also annoyed the Frenchman
very seriously. The Revolutionnaire had by that time become
almost unmanageable, and the Audacious had great difficulty in
avoiding being fouled by her. At a little before ten, the Revolution-
naire, which, besides her mizenmast, had lost her fore and main-
yards and her main topsail yard, fell athwart the hawse of the
Audacious. But Captain Parker extricated himself; and the French
ship went to leeward. Some of the men of the Audacious reported
that the Revolutionnaire struck while the ships were close to one
another. The Russell also reported that the three-decker had no
colours flying when she passed under the British ships astern. But
possibly the colours had been merely shot away. The ship, how-
ever, had lost heavily ; and she might, no doubt, have been taken,
had the Thunderer, when hailed by the Audacious to take possession
1794.] HOWE ON MAY 28 Til. 22]
of her, attempted to do so. The Audacious herself was not under
control, and was for some time unable to wear clear of the French
line. Her injuries were chiefly aloft. She had, indeed, lost only
3 killed, and 3 mortally and 16 more slightly wounded, while the
Revolutionnaire had lost nearly 400 men. As soon as Captain
Parker had got clear, he did his best to repair damages with a view
to regaining his station in the morning ; but when, at dawn, he saw
nine French sail to windward, he judged it best, looking to his
crippled condition, to put before the wind. At that time he had his
foresail and three topsails unbent, and his mainsail in the act of
being bent. What the strange craft were has not been ascertained.
They may have been the ships and prizes of Vanstabel, or the
squadron of Nielly ; but it is more likely that they belonged to one
of two light squadrons which at that time were cruising out of
Lorient and Rochefort.
The disabled Audacious was favoured by rain and mist; but,
before she was again under anything like proper sail, the mist
lifted, and she discovered two ships, which seem to have been
the Audacieux and a brig, detached by Villaret to look after
the Revolutionnaire. That ship, without a mast standing, lay
then about a mile and a half away. Immediately afterwards the
French frigate Bellone, 36, with a ship and a brig, appeared in the
eastward. These vessels, discovering the state of the Audacious,
and encouraged by the proximity of their friends, stood athwart
Parker, and exchanged shots with him. The other craft soon fell
astern, but the Bellone hung on the quarter of the Audacious until
12.30 P.M., when she hauled to the wind; During all this time the
British ship, owing to the state of her masts, was powerless to alter
course. She subsequently sailed into a fog ; and, feeling that, all
things considered, it was useless to attempt to rejoin the fleet,
Parker proceeded for port, and on June 3rd anchored in Plymouth
Sound. The Revolutionnaire was found by the French Audacieux
and towed into Eochefort.
One of the chief lessons of this partial action on the 28th of
May, seems to be the greater relative value of a vessel of large
size as compared with several vessels of smaller size but, in
the aggregate, of largely superior armament. The escape of the
Revolutionnaire, after having had to deal with so many 74's, surely
shows this.
The British and French fleets continued on parallel courses
222 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
during the night of the 28th, carrying a press of sail on the star-
board tack. At dawn on the 29th the wind still blew freshly from
south by west, and there was a heavy head sea. The fleets were
then about six miles apart, the French being on the weather-bow of
the British. By that time, Howe's signal of the previous evening
for the fleet to form line ahead and astern of the Queen Charlotte as
most convenient, had, of course, been carried out ; and the order of
the head of the British column was, Ccesar, Queen, Russell, Valiant,
Royal George, Invincible, Orion, Majestic, Leviathan, Queen Char-
lotte and Bellerophon. With the object of making some impression
on the enemy's rear, Howe, at 7 A.M., signalled his ships to tack in
succession ; and at 7.30, when the fleet was on the larboard tack,
he ordered it to pass through the French line, in order to obtain the
weather gage. But, in endeavouring to execute this manoeuvre,
the British fleet passed astern of the enemy's rear, the French firing
when the ships were at a great distance, and the Ccesar and Queen
returning the compliment when they were well within range. It is
interesting to note that during this action all the ships in the fleet
flew the Bed Ensign, although there were present flag officers both
of the Bed and of the White squadrons. The Commander-in- Chief,
who was at the time Vice- Admiral of England, flew the Union at
the main.
At 8 A.M. the French van ships began to wear in succession to
support their threatened rear, and, running to leeward of their line,
edged down towards the British van and centre. When she was
clear of the rear of her own fleet, the leading French ship, which
was then about three miles distant from the British centre, hauled
close to the wind ; and her example was followed in succession by
the ships astern of her. At a little after 9 A.M., when the whole
French fleet was on the larboard tack, the van ships again bore
away ; and, at 10 A.M., opened an ineffectual fire upon the British
van. But presently the distance between the two vans lessened ;
and tho Invincible (which luffed out of the line in order to get nearer
the foe), Eoyal George, Valiant, Russell, Queen and Casar exchanged
broadsides with the French van. In this brush several of the
British ships suffered aloft; and the leading French vessel, the
Montagnard, received evident damage. At 11.30 Howe signalled
to tack in succession in order to pass through the enemy's line ; but
when he found that his van was not still sufficiently advanced to cut
off more than a few ships of the French rear, he annulled the signal
3794.] 110 WE ON MAY 29 TH. 223
and continued to stretch on as before. At 12.30 P.M. he again
signalled to tack. There was then much smoke hanging about ;
and the signal was only partially obeyed ; so that, in the result,
when, at 1.15 P.M., signal was made to engage the enemy and pass
through his line, the ships which had been ahead of the Queen
Charlotte were, from various causes, not in a position to carry out
in due order their share of the intended manoeuvre.
This being so, some of his van ships being engaged at a consider-
able distance, and the French having begun to wear in succession,
Howe, in the Queen Charlotte, at 1.30, set the example of breaking
the line, which he passed through astern of the Eole, the sixth ship
from the enemy's rear. The Bellerophon and Leviathan followed
Howe's lead, the former passing across the bows, and the latter under
the stern of the Terrible, the third ship from the enemy's rear. As
soon as she was through, the Queen Charlotte put about on the larboard
tack, hoisted the signal for a general chase, and devoted herself to the
Terrible, which had lost her foretopmast and was struggling to regain
her station. The two ships astern of her, the Tyrannicide and Indomp-
table, which had been previously engaged by the Queen and the
Royal George, were both a good deal disabled. But the French van
had, in the meantime, wore round on the starboard tack ; and the
Terrible managed to reach the centre of her own fleet ere the Queen
Charlotte could get near her. The Indomptable was afterwards
warmly engaged by the Orion and Barfleur, but she gallantly kept
her colours flying till she and the Terrible were rescued by Admiral
Villaret, who dexterously led his fleet on the starboard tack to their
assistance. Howe, who had only the Bellerophon and Leviathan,
both disabled, near him, could not prevent this, and was only able
at about 4 P.M. to obtain sufficient support to cover the Queen and
Royal George, which had suffered severely.
In the course of these operations the two vans once more ap-
proached one another within gunshot, and a partial action resulted,
the Glory distinguishing herself by the accuracy and deadliness of her
fire. But no general engagement followed, Villaret contenting himself
with saving his disabled ships, and then wearing round, and standing
away large on the larboard tack and rejoining his rear. The British
wore in the same direction, keeping, however, the weather gage ; and
so the firing ceased. This was just after 5 P.M. Each fleet then
formed line on the larboard tack, and set to work to repair damages.
Among the officers killed in this encounter were Lieutenants George
224 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 175*3-1802. [1794.
Heigham, of the Eoyal George, and Boger R. Rawlance, of the
Queen Charlotte, and Mr. William Mitchell, Master of the Queen.
Captain Hutt, of the Queen, lost a leg, and subsequently died of
his wound. The total British loss was 67 killed and 128 wounded.
Several ships were much damaged, but they were quickly made
again fit for action ; and, at 10.30 A.M. on the 30th, the only vessel
which reported herself as still unready was the Casar,1 a ship which
had been badly handled during the engagement, and which had
probably, by her apparent hesitation, encouraged Villaret to attempt
to cover his crippled ships.2
On the night of the 29th the weather was thick and foggy ; but
on the morning of the 30th it cleared for a time and the French
were seen in the north-west on the starboard tack. After some
preparations had been made on both sides to renew the action, the
weather grew thicker than ever, and the ships in consequence
became much dispersed. At 9 A.M. on the 31st the fog lifted, and
the British ships at once took measures to regain their stations. At
noon the French were seen to the northward, numbering twenty-
six sail of the line and six others. At 2 P.M. Howe bore up, and
the French, who had previously edged away a little, formed line on
the larboard tack. Later in the day a general action might have
been brought on ; but Howe, mindful of the confusion which had
occurred on the 29th, preferred fighting by daylight, when signals
could be seen. At a little after 7 P.M., therefore, he hauled to
the wind on the larboard tack, and so stationed a couple of his
frigates as to ensure that he should be at once informed of any
1 " On this occasion, we, the Lieutenants on the quarter-deck, were speaking our
minds very freely respecting the conduct of the different Captains, and, upon some
particular observation made by Larcom, first Lieutenant, on the conduct of the Csesar,
Lord Howe said : ' 1 desire you to hold your tongue, sir. I don't desire you to shut
your eyes, but I desire you to hold your tongue till I call upon you, as I probably shall
do hereafter, for your observations.' " — Bourchier, " Codrington," i. 20.
2 Says Mahan : " The merit of Howe's conduct upon these two days does not . . .
depend merely upon the issue, though fortunate. I5y persistent attacks, frequently
renewed upon the same and most vulnerable part of the French order, he had in effect"
brought to bear a large part of his own fleet upon a relatively small number of the
«nemy, the result being a concentration of injury, which compelled the damaged ships
to leave the field. At the same time the direction of the attack forced the French
admiral either to abandon the endangered vessels, or, step by step, to yield the advan-
tage of the wind, until it was finally wrested from him altogether. By sheer tactical
skill, combined with a fine display of personal conduct, Howe had won a marked
numerical preponderance for the decisive action. . . . Unfortunately, the tactical gaic
was soon neutralised by the strategic mistake which left Montagu's squadron unavail-
able on the day of battle."—' Fr. Eevol. and Emp.' i. 135.
1794.] THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE. 225
attempt on the part of Villaret to weather the British during the
night.
After the action on the 29th, the Montagnard had deserted the
French fleet, and the Seine, frigate, which had been sent after her,
had also failed to rejoin. But on the evening of that day the
Trente-et-un Mai, 74. Captain Honore Ganteaume, had joined
Villaret from Cancale Bay ; and on the 30th the French admiral
was further reinforced by the Saws Pareil, Trajan and Temeraire,
of Rear-Admiral Xielly's squadron. This accession of force induced
Villaret to send home the crippled Indomptable, convoyed by the
Mont Blanc, 74, and left him still with twenty-six sail of the line.
During the night of the 31st the British stood to the westward ;
and at dawn on June 1st they were in lat. 47° 48' N., and
long. 18° 30' W., with a moderate breeze from south by west
and a fairly smooth sea. The French fleet, in line of battle on the
larboard tack, was six miles on the starboard or lee bow of the
British. At 5 A.M. the British, by signal, bore up together and
steered north-west, and at 6.15 A.M. altered course to the north.
At about 7.10 the fleet again hauled to the wind on the larboard
tack. At 7.16 Howe signalled that he should attack the French
centre, and, at 7.25, that he should pass through the enemy's line
and engage from leeward. The two fleets were then about four
miles apart. Howe himself had scarcely quitted the deck of his
flagship for three days,1 and the men were correspondingly fatigued.
The fleet was, therefore, hove to, and the men breakfasted. At
8.12 A.M., Howe again filled and bore down. A little later, each
ship was ordered to steer for, and to independently engage, the ship
opposite her in the French line ; and, with a view to making the
combat as equal as possible, Howe effected some changes in his
formation, after which, the order of the two lines was as follows : —
1 Howe was then sixty-eight. Looking to his age, the manner in which he bore
the fatigue and anxiety was marvellous. Codrington says : " When the report was
brought to him " (on June 1st) " that the French fleet showed every symptom of
determination to sustain a battle, I watched his face when he came to the quarter-deck
to look at them. It expressed an animation of which, at his age, and after such
fatigue of mind and body, I had not thought it capable." ... "He went to bed
completely done up after the action of the First. We all got round him ; indeed, I
saved him from a tumble. He was so weak that, from a roll of the ship, he was
nearly falling into the waist. ' Why, you hold me up as if I were a child,' he said
good-humouredly." — Bourchier, ' Codrington,' i. 27, 31. For nearly five days he had
rested only in a chair. Yet the strain of naval warfare would press more hardly on a
Commander-in-Chief to-day than it did in 1 794.
VOL. IV. O
226 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
BRITISH AND FRENCH LINES OP BATTLE ON JUNE IST, 1794.
[1794.
BRITISH.
FRENCH.
Losses on
May 28, 29,
and June 1.
Ships.
Guns
Commanders.
•j
Ships.
Guns.
Commanders.
i
|
H
•£
Ccesar . . .
80
/Capt. Anthony James)
. Pye Molioy. ]
71
Trajan .
' Eole
74
Capt. Dumoutier.
( „ BertrandKer-
'Rear-Admiral Thomas
74
l anguen.2
Bellerophon .
74
Pasley(W).'
Capt. William John-i
4
27
America' . .
74
/ „ Louis L'Heri-
\ tier.
stone Hope.1 J
Teme'raire . .
74
,, Morel.
Leviathan
74
„ Lord Hugh Sey-;
mour.i J
10
33
Terrible . .
110
jRear-Admiral Fran-
< ijois Joseph Bouvet.
Russell . . .
74
,, John Willctt)
Payne.1 J
8
26
Imprtueux 3 .
74
ICapt. Julien Le Ray.
„ Douville.
Vice-Admiral Thomas!
Mucius
74
„ Larreguy.
Royal Sovereign
100
Graves (2) (R).i
14
44
Touraille . .
74
,, Langlois.
Capt. Henry Xicholls.i |
Gasparin . .
74
,, Tardy.
Marlborough .
74
,, Hon. Georpe Gran- 1
field Berkeley.' J
29 90
Convention
Trente - tt • un i
74
74
„ Joseph Allary,
( ,, Honore Gau-
Defence. . .
74
,, James Gambler)
(2).l j
18 39
Mai . . .1
Tyrannicide .
74
[ teaume.
„ d'Ordelin.
Rear- Admiral lk-njamin|
Juste* . . .
80
„ Blavet.
Impregnable .
98
Caldwell(VV).
Capt. George Hlagdenj
Westcott. }
7
21
Montagne . .
120
{Rear- Admiral Louis
Thomas Villaret-
Joyeuse.
Tremendous .
74
„ James Pigott.
3
8
Capt. Bazire.2
Rear-Admiral George]
Jacobin
80
„ Gassin.
Barfleur .
98
Bowyer (W).1
Capt. Cuthbert Colling- (
9
25
Achilles . .
74
f „ G.J.N.deLa
[ Villegria.
Invincible . .
74
wood.
,, Hon. Thomas)
Pakenham.1 }
14
31
Venffeur du i
reuple* . .1
Patriote . .
74
74
„ Jean Francois
Renaudin.
„ Lucadou.
Culloden . .
74
„ Isaac Schr.mberg.
2
5
Zforthumber- \
„ Francois Eti-
Gibraltar . .
80
„ Thomas Mackenzie
2
12
lands .
74
enne.
Admiral Earl Howe
' Entrcprenant . 74
,, Le Franrq.
(Union).'
1 Jemmapes* . 74
„ Desmartis.
Queen Charlotte
100
Capt. Sir Roger Curtis,
Kt. (1st)1
w » pMM'r : :
74
74
„ Tiphaigne.
,, Berrade.
„ Sir Andrew Snape
Rear- Admiral Joseph
Brunswick
Valiant
74
74
Douglas. Kt.1
„ John Harvey.2
„ Thomas Pringle.1
44 114
2 9
Kepublicain .
110
Marie Nieliy.
Capt. Pierre Jacques
Longer.
Orion ,
74
,, John Thomas)
Duckworth.1 /
5
21
Sans Pareil s ,
80
„ Jean Francois
Couraud.
Queen .
98
Rear- Admiral Alatn
Gardner (W).1 >
36
67
Scipion.
80
,t Huguet.
Capt. John Hutt.2 (
Precieuse, 36
Ramillies .
Alfred . . .
Montagu .
74
74
74
„ Henry Harvey.1
,, John Bazely (1).
., James Montagu.2
Vice-Admiral Sir Alex-j
2
4
7
8
13
Naiade . .
Proserpine, 40
Tamise, 32 .
„ J.M.A.LHer-
mite.
Royal George .
100
ander Arthur Hood.l
20
72
Papillon
" 1
Capt. William Domett.1)
Galatre, 36 .
Majestic . .
74
„ Charles Cotton.
3
18
Gentille, 36 .
Olory . , .
Thunderer
98
74
,, John Elphinstonel
(2).1 i
,, Albemarle Bertie.
13
39
And three or four small craft.
Phaeton, 38.
„ William Bentinck.
3
4
Latona, 38 .
„ Edward Thorn-}
Niger, 32 .
Southampton}
32 . . .J
••
brough. /
„ Hon. Arthur Kayel
Legge. /
., Hon. Robert Forbes.
1 Received medals, as having particularly
signalised themselves. Capt. William Parker,
of the Audacious, also received a medal for
his conduct on May 28tb, and Capt. Cuthbert
Venus, 32 .
Aquilon, 32 .
Pegasus, 28.
,, William Brown (1).
„ Hon. Robert Stop-i
ford.
„ Robert Barlow.
Collingwood, of the Barfleur, after protest,
received one at a later period.
2 Killed, or mortally wounded.
3 Struck and made prize of.
4 Struck and foundered.
lotai . . i zyu | 858
And the Pharon, 44, hosp. ship, Capt. George Countess ;
Comet, 14, fireship, Com. William Bradley; Incendiary 14
flreship, Com. John Cooke ; Kinufisher, 18, sloop, Com. Thomas
Le Marchant Gosselin ; Rattler, 16, cutter, Lieut. John Winne :
s Struck, but retaken by the French.
and Ranger, 14, cutter, Lient. Isaac Cotgrave.
1794.] THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE. 227
The French were in a close head and stern line,1 heading west ;
and both fleets were under single-reefed topsails, some of the
French lying to, and others backing and filling, to preserve
station. The British headed about north-west with a fresh breeze
from south by west ; and they were moving at the rate of about
five knots.
At 9.24 the French van opened a distant fire upon the British
van, and especially upon the Defence, which was a little ahead of
her line. At 9.50 the French fire became general, and the British
fire opened, the flagship's bearing the signal for close action. It
had been intended that each British ship should pass astern of her
natural opponent, and engage her from leeward ; but only a few
vessels did this. The rest hauled up to windward and engaged,
some at short, but many at longer, distance. At 10.10 A.M., Villaret
in the Montague made sail ahead, followed by the second astern,
and afterwards by such other ships as had suffered little damage
aloft. Howe ordered a general chase at 10.13. By 11.30 A.M. the
action was practically over, though no ships had then been taken
possession of. The British had eleven, and the French twelve,
more or less dismasted vessels. The latter were doing their best to
escape with such sail as they could make on their stumps ; and
they fired, from time to time, at such British ships as came within
gunshot.
The Montague and Jacobin stood on till nearly abreast of the
French van, and then wore round, with several other French vessels
making twelve sail in all, and steered for the Queen, which lay
crippled on their starboard bow. Howe saw the Queen's danger,
and, having signalled his ships to form line ahead and astern of him,
managed to wear round on the starboard tack, and, followed by the
Barfleur, Thunderer, Royal Sovereign, Valiant, Leviathan and
others, stood away, with the wind abaft the beam, to assist Eear-
Admiral Gardner. This induced Villaret to relinquish his design,
and to stretch on to the support of five of his crippled ships, which
were towing towards him in the eastward, two of them being wholly
dismasted. He succeeded in covering and saving four of these, the
Republicain, Mucius, Scipion and Jemmapes. The fifth, the Terrible,
joined him by pluckily fighting her way through her opponents.
There was no general firing after about 1.15 P.M. ; but it was not
1 The Tyrannicide, having lost her upper masts on May 29th, had to be towed
until the opening of the battle of June 1st.
Q 2
228
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
until 2.30 that the six crippled ships, that lay nearest the body of
the British, were secured. Several did not submit without flung
upon the vessels which were about to take possession of them
little after 6 P.M. the seventh French ship, the Vengeur, was taken ;
but she was so shattered that, ten minutes later, she went down,
having still on board about 200 of her crew, chiefly wounded men
The British loss in the three days' engagement was 2
and 858 wounded.1 The French lost, in the six captured vessels
alone, upwards of 1200 killed and wounded, and, in the whole
about 7000 killed, wounded and prisoners. Among the British
officers killed or mortally wounded, in addition to those already
mentioned, were Captains James Montagu and John Harvey;
Lieutenants Francis Eoss, of the Tremendous, Eichard Dawes, of
the Queen, and Thomas Ireland of the Eoyal George; Masters
William Webster, of the Defence, David Caird, of the Impregnable,
SIGNATURE OF ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS PASLET, BABT.
and George Metcalfe, of the Glory ; and Captain of Marines Walter
Smith, of the Bellerophon. Of the seven British flag-officers, three,
Graves, Pasley and Bowyer, were wounded.
The general scheme of the action has now been made apparent.
That scheme was of course not strictly carried out. No scheme of
the kind ever is. It will, therefore, be well to say something about
the experiences of individual ships ; and, for the sake of convenience,
these will be mentioned according to the order which they occupied
in the line.
The CcBsar,2 in bearing down to engage, dropped somewhat
astern, and brought to about 500 yards to windward of the enemy,
Captain Molloy, choosing to exercise a discretion,3 which, as he
1 Details will be found in the table on p. 226.
2 Howe, owing to Molloy's previous behaviour, had been unwilling to put him at
the head of the line. The unwillingness, justified when the action opened, had been
waived at the personal request of Sir Eoger Curtis, to whom Howe said significantly,
after Molloy had brought to: "Look, Curtis, there goes your friend! Who n
mistaken now ? "
s The signal concluded as follows: "The different Captains and Commanders, n<
being able to effect the specified intention ... are at liberty to act as circumstances
require." This qualifying clause was wisely omitted when the signal code was next
revised.
1794-] THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE. 229
contended, was allowed him by Lord Howe's signal to pass through
the line and engage from leeward. His reason, as suggested during
the court-martial which was subsequently held upon him, was that,
had he passed astern of the Trajan, his proper opponent, he must
afterwards have shot so far ahead of her as to be beyond effective
range. When he realised that he had made a mistake, and when
he endeavoured to wear and make sail, his tiller became jammed ;
ADMIRAL THOMAS GRAVES (2), LORD GRAVES.
(From a lithograph ty Ridley, after the portrait by Nwthcote.)
and for half-an-hour the ship dropped astern. At length she did
bear up ; but it was then too late to be of much use.
The Bellerophon bore down upon the weather quarter of the
Sole, and, at 8.45, opened fire with good effect. She continued this
until the Eole wore round astern of her leader, and stood on the
starboard tack, having had enough of it. As the Bellerophon had
received the fire of both the Trajan and the Eole, especially towards
the end, the British ship was so damaged aloft that she had to
signal to the Latona to come to her assistance. The Latona, to
230 MA JOS OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
make a diversion, gallantly fired on the two French 74's as she
approached.
The Leviathan seems to have engaged the America without
passing through the line, and, at length, to have dismasted her.
The Russell did not pass through the line, but hove to windward of
the Temeraire, which, at 11 A.M., made sail to leeward, and was
followed through the line by the Eussell, which, unable, owing to
damage aloft, to trim her sails in more than one direction, found
herself to leeward of the Trajan and Eole, and was by them badly
mauled ere she could be assisted by the Leviathan. Later in the
day she took possession of the America.
The Royal Sovereign engaged the Terrible at too great a distance ;
and a signal was consequently made for her to engage more closely.
Eventually she forced the Terrible to bear up ; and, while the
French ship was doing so and yawing, the three-decker repeatedly
raked her. She then chased her, until the French ship was aided
by the Montague and Jacobin. The Valiant assisted the Royal
Sovereign a little ; and, at length, the Montague bore away followed,
for a short distance, by Graves's flagship. In the afternoon, not
knowing that the Russell had already taken possession of the
America, the Royal Sovereign boarded that ship and sent back the
Russell's men to their own vessel.
The Marlborough passed through the line astern of the Impetueux,
and ranged up alongside of her to leeward. The two vessels
presently fell on board one another, and a very fierce action ensued.
At 10.15 the Mucius, which was next astern of the Impetueux, made
sail ahead in order to free herself from her own opponent, the
Defence, and fell on board the bow of the Marlborough ; so that the
Marlborough, Impetueux and Mucius formed a triangle. Soon after-
wards, the Marlborough lost all her masts ; but she nevertheless
dismasted both her opponents. She was, a little later, raked by the
Montague, which passed by her stern ; and, being at length obliged
to signal for help, she was taken in tow by the Aquilon.1 The
1 After the Marlborough had been entirely dismasted and otherwise very seriously
disabled, owing to her successive encounters with the Sans Pareil, Mucius, and
Montagne, and the Captain and Lieutenant Michael Seymour (1) had been severely
wounded, some whispers of surrender seem to have been heard on board ; whereupon
Lieutenant John Monckton resolutely exclaimed: "I'll be damned if she shall ever
surrender: I'll nail her colours to the stump of the mast." This attitude, and the
sudden crowing of a cock that had found its way out of a smashed coop, and perched
itself on the stump of the mainmast, reanimated the crew, who at once gave three
1794.] THE GLORIOUS FIRST OF JUNE. 231
Mucius escaped ; but the Impetueux was ultimately taken possession
of by the Russell.
The Defence got through the French line between the Mucius
and the Tourville, and was presently in the thick of the action.
She was so badly treated that, being threatened by the R&publicain,
she signalled for help, and was taken in tow by the Phaeton. Before
the latter did this, she very pluckily engaged the Impetueux for ten
minutes. The Impregnable, Tremendous and Barfleur kept much
too much to windward to produce any great effect. The Invincible,
instead of engaging her proper opponent, engaged the Juste,1 and
forced her to bear up until, meeting with the fire of the Queen
Charlotte, she struck. The Culloden and Gibraltar also engaged
somewhat too far to windward, and therefore did little damage.
The Queen Charlotte, steering to cut the line astern of the Montagne,
received, as she approached, a heavy fire from the Vengeur and
Achille. As she was about to pass astern of the Montagne,2 the
Jacobin stretched ahead under that ship's lee, nearly taking the
place which the Queen Charlotte was to have taken. Thanks,
however, to the promptitude of Mr. James Bowen, Master of the
Queen Charlotte, the British flagship was neatly luffed up between
the two French vessels, and warmly engaged both, until the Jacobin 3
dropped astern, and the Montagne made sail and ranged ahead. It
was then that Howe signalled for a general chase. The Queen
Charlotte next engaged the Juste, which she dismasted, and
ultimately forced to strike. But, in the interim, Howe was
threatened by the Bepublicain ; and he only escaped receiving
severe damage from her owing to the opportune fall of the French
cheers, and thought no more of aught save victory. Lieutenant Michael Seymour
received a ball between the elbow and the wrist, and the limb mortifying, the left arm
had in a few days to be amputated well above the elbow. — Barrow, 'Howe'; ' Life of
Seymour.'
1 The Juste, according to Codrington, was a red-sided ship, yet, for a time she was
mistaken by Lord Howe, and others in the Queen Charlotte, for the Invincible.
2 The Montagne would appear to have been quite unprepared for Howe's mode of
attack, and to have had her starboard or lee ports closed, and her guns on that side
unloaded and unmanned until about the time when, having suffered very heavily, she
ranged ahead.
3 The French were placed at a disadvantage by the close proximity of the two
ships. They could not use their sponges and rammers, which had rigid wooden shafts.
The British, however, had sponges and rammers with flexible rope shafts, specially
prepared for such an eventuality. The French, therefore, could only use with freedom
a few forward and after guns on the starboard side of the lower deck while the ships
remained in contact.
232
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1794.
three-decker's main and mizen masts, thanks to the distant fire of
the Gibraltar. This fire was, however, so carelessly directed that
some of it struck the Queen Charlotte.1
The Brunswick was well forward at the commencement of the
attack, and received much of the fire intended for the Queen
Charlotte. This did her great damage before she returned a single
shot. The French line closed up so much that Captain Harvey
CAPTAIN JOHN HAEVEY (1), OP THE " BliUNSWICK."
(From an engraving by Ridley, after the portrait by Stuart.)
could not pass through astern of the Jacobin. He tried, as an
alternative, to pass between the Achille and the Vengeur ; but the
latter stretched ahead and blocked the opening. The Brunswick,
therefore, put her helm to port, and ran foul of the Vengeur, the
starboard anchors of the British ship hooking into the French ship's
larboard fore-shrouds and channels. The master, Mr. George
Stewart, asked Harvey: " Shall I cut the ship clear, sir?" "No,"
said Harvey ; " we have got her and we will keep her." The two
1 Bourchier, ' Codrington,' i. 27.
1794.] DEFENCE OF THE BRUNSWICK. 233
ships at once swung close together, and, paying off before the wind,
dropped out of the line. The seamen on the British ship's lower
deck, finding that they could not open some of their lower ports
owing to the pressure of the French ship's hull against them, blew
them off ; and so, with their heads to the north, the two vessels
began a most sanguinary engagement. Harvey was soon wounded
in the hand by a musket-shot, but remained on deck. At 11 A.M.
the Achille bore down through the smoke upon the British ship's
larboard quarter, and threatened to board. But the Brunswick shot
away her last 'remaining mast as she came up, and, since the wreck-
age fell over the starboard or engaged side of the Achille, that ship
was unable to continue the action ; and, in a few minutes, struck.
The Brunswick could not, however, take possession ; and the Achille
subsequently rehoisted her colours, and attempted to escape by
setting her spritsail. She had got some distance away when another
ship was seen bearing down on the Brunswick. This was at first
taken for a foe ; but she proved to be the Eamillies, commanded by
Henry Harvey, brother to the Captain of the Brunswick. By that
time the fire from the Brunswick's quarter-deck, forecastle, and
poop had almost ceased ; * but she fought her principal batteries as
vigorously as ever.
" On the lower-deck," says James, " the seamen, profiting by the rolling of the
Vengeur, frequently drove home the coins, and depressed the muzzles of the guns, each
of which was loaded with two round shot, and then again withdrew the coins, and
pointed the muzzles upwards; thus alternately firing into their opponent's bottom,.and
ripping up her decks. During this deliberate and destructive operation, Captain
Harvey was knocked down by a splinter; but, although seriously hurt, he was
presently on his legs again. Soon afterwards, however, the crown of a double-headed
shot, which had split, struck his right arm, and this gallant officer was compelled to
go below."
On this occasion Captain Harvey is reported to have said to his
men : " Persevere, my brave lads, in your duty. Continue the
action with spirit, for the honour of our King and country ; and
remember my last words : The colours of the Brunswick shall never
be struck." After Captain Harvey's disablement, the command of
the ship devolved upon Lieutenant William Edward Cracraft.
At about 12.45 P.M., the action having lasted some three hours,
1 Some French accounts go so far as to say that, attracted by the deserted state of
the Brunswick's upper deck, a few French seamen, seeing that fire had broken out on
it, and considering the ship as good as taken, clambered over the British ship's
bulwarks, and were not opposed ; but that these people were withdrawn upon the
approach of the Eamillies. Of. Guerin, vi. 40.
234 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
the Brunswick and Vengeur swung apart, the Brunswick's three
anchors being torn away. The Ramillies then attacked the
Vengeur, the rudder of which was split by the last shots from the
Brunswick, and which also received a large hole in her counter
from the same discharges. The Ramillies, at not more than forty
yards' distance, concentrated her fire on this hole, and soon reduced
the Vengeur to a sinking state. The Ramillies only desisted when
she saw the Achille making off, and felt it her duty to pursue her.
The Vengeur then hung out a Union Jack in token of surrender.
The Brunswick, which had no boats left, could do nothing to
relieve her late foe ; and she put her own head to the north,
intending to make the best of her way to port. At 3 P.M. she
fell in with the Jemmapes, which was dismasted and rolling her
lower ports under. The Brunswick luffed up under her lee, where-
upon the Jemmapes signified that she had already struck. The
SIGNATURE OF CAPT. WILLIAM EDWARD CRACRAFT, R.N.
Brunswick had lost her mizen. Her bowsprit, and her main and
foremasts were badly wounded, and her running and standing
rigging was shot away, all her yards being shattered, and all her
sails in pieces. She had also twenty-three guns dismounted, had
been on fire three times, had lost her starboard quarter-gallery,
and had her best bower anchor, with the starboard cathead, towing
under her keel.
The Valiant hove to to windward of the Patriote, which
she soon drove to leeward. She next engaged the Achille. The
Orion engaged the Northumberland and the Patriote until they
bore up. She then hauled up to support the Queen Charlotte.
The Queen suffered heavily while bearing down to engage, and
failed to get abreast of the Northumberland. She therefore closed
with the Jemmapes, keeping on her starboard quarter when the
French ship made sail ahead, and bringing down her mizenmast.
The Queen herself had lost her main and sprung her mizen ; but
she managed, in another quarter of an hour, to shoot away the
main and foremasts of the Jemmapes, which struck, though the
Queen was far too disabled to take possession. The latter had
I
I
H
5 1
o I
P s
H I
M *
H «
if
§i
1794.]
SINKING OF THE VENOEUR.
235
by that time lost her mizen-topmast, and was otherwise un-
manageable for the moment ; but, in an hour, she got her head
towards the British fleet, and was steering to leeward of it, when
she saw, at 12.30 P.M., twelve French ships standing towards her.
She was fired at by ten of them, and by two frigates, which were
towing the Terrible ; but she pluckily returned the fire, and was
presently relieved by the Queen Charlotte and the newly-formed
ADMIRAL SIR ROGER CURTIS, BART.
(From (in engraving by Ridley, (tfter the picture by Rivers.')
British line. The escaping French, however, rehoisted the colours
of the Jemmapes and towed her away.
Of the British ships towards the rear of the line little need be
said. The Eamillies, after succouring the Brunswick, secured the
Achille. The Alfred, assisted by the Culloden and Battler, cutter,
took off great part of the crew of the gallant Vengeur ere the ship
foundered. As she went down a few of her people cried, " Vive la
Nation ! " and " Vive la Eepublique ! " and some one is said to have
236 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
waved a tricolour flag from her deck. Her brave captain, Eenaudin,1
was happily saved.2 The Montagu engaged the Neptune. The
Boyal George, after engaging the Sans Pareil and Republicain,
passed through the French line between those ships, subsequently
rendering very valuable service. The Glory, sailing badly, was
slow in getting into action, but at last cut the French line astern
of the Scipion, which she engaged from leeward, losing her own
foretop-mast and mizen topgallant-mast, but entirely dismasting
her opponent. Then, ranging ahead, she engaged the Saws Pareil,
and, with the Royal George, attacked the Republicain, which was
driven off greatly injured aloft. The Scipion and Sans Pareil,
completely silenced, had dropped astern, but could not be taken
possession of, the Royal George having lost her foremast, and
main as well as mizen topmast, and having had her wheel
rendered useless, and the Glory also being seriously disabled.
Having, as has been seen, saved what he could from the wreck
of his fleet, Villaret went off to the northward, and, by 6.15 P.M.,
was almost out of sight.3 Not until 5 A.M. on June 3rd had Howe
1 Renaudin, exchanged soon afterwards, was made a rear-admiral on November 16th,
1794, and died on May 1st, 1809.
2 Jean Bon Saint-Andre, in his report, makes no mention of the affair of the
Vengeur. Not until July 10th, 1794, was the exaggerated story, much of which is
still accepted in France, put forward by Barere in the Convention. Barere then
announced, not only that three British vessels had been sunk, but also that the Venyeur
had gone down firing at the enemy and with all her colours flying, while her people,
preferring death to captivity in the hands of tyrants, cheered for the Republic, for
Liberty, and for France. All this implied, of course, that the Vengeur never struck.
Barere further suggested, if he did not actually declare, that Renaudin and the entire
ship's company had shared the fate of the vessel. Thiers, by the way, also makes
Renaudin to have perished. Upon the strength of Barere's declamations, the Con-
vention decided that a small ivory model of the Venyeur should be suspended from the
ceiling of the Salon de la Liberte. But when Renaudin reappeared, and when scores of
other survivors of the gallant ship returned to France, the truth began to be realised
by those in authority, and the project was not pursued. Not only Barere and Thiers,
however, but also Lebrun and Lamartine, have allowed themselves to be carried away
by the story of what never happened. The truth will be found in a proces-verlal,
dated Tavistock, ler Messidor, an II., and signed by Renaudin and other officers, which
was first printed by M. Jal. — (' Rev. Brit.' vol. xxiii. 4th ser.)
3 French authorities for the action of the 9th, 10th, and 13th Prairial : " Journal
de J. B. Saint-Andre ' (untrustworthy at all points, yet suggestive) : " Precis des princ.
Evenements,' by Admiral Kerguelen : proces-verbal signed by Renaudin, etc. ; account
by M. E. Dupaty, later of the Academic Franjaise, who was in the Patriote ; orders of
Villaret-Joyeuse (Arch, de la Marine) ; reports of various captains (Sect. Hist, de la
Marine); Report of Villaret-Joyeuse (published by M. Chasseriau), etc. The chief
published English authorities, in addition to the official ones, are : Barrow, ' Life of
Howe'; 'Mems. of Collingwood ' ; 'Life of Codrington'; 'The Naval Chronicle,'
passim ; ' A Narr. of the Procs. of H.M. Fleet,' etc. (4to, London, 1796) ; Marshall,
1794.] MONTAGU AND THE FRENCH FLEET. 237
sufficiently refitted his fleet to be able to make sail. He then
steered north-east, and at 11 A.M. on the 13th anchored, without
further adventure, at Spithead, with his six prizes and all his
fleet, except nine vessels of the line, which he had sent into
Plymouth.
Rear-Admiral George Montagu had been ordered to cruise on
the lookout for Vanstabel until May 20th, and then, if unsuccessful,
to rejoin Howe. But in consequence of information which reached
him, he took upon himself to cruise a little longer. In the interval,
he recaptured some vessels of the Lisbon convoy, and from them
he learnt that Villaret was at sea, looking, as he himself was, for
Vanstabel. Montagu also learnt that Howe was no longer at the
rendezvous off Ushant, but far to the westward. He, therefore,
in compliance with the spirit of his orders, turned his head home-
wards, and on May 30th anchored in Plymouth Sound. The
Admiralty, however, anxious to have the French-American convoy
intercepted, at once ordered him to sea again, with a reinforcement,
which brought his strength up to that set forth in the note.1 He
was directed to proceed off Ushant, and there await news from
Howe, and, in the event of an action between the French and
British fleets, to be ready to afford assistance in protecting damaged
friends or in capturing damaged foes ; but, above all things, to
look out for the American convoy.
The Audacious reached Plymouth on June 3rd, with intelligence
of the partial action between the fleets ; but, no further orders
reaching Montagu, he sailed on the 4th, and on the 8th arrived
on his station. At 3.30 that afternoon he sighted and chased
twelve sail in the E.S.E., there being a moderate breeze from the
N.N.E. ; and, half-an-hour later, he discovered eight of the strangers
to be French line-of -battle ships ; whereupon he formed a line of
battle, and stood on to meet them. But, crowding sail, they stood
into Bertheaume Bay, and Montagu at night tacked and stood off
' Roy. Nav. Biog.' ; Steel, ' Navy List,' and ' Naval Chronologist ' ; Ralph, ' Nav. Chron.' ;
Charnock, ' Biog. Nav.,' and Brenton's and James's histories. The logs of the ships
engaged have also been consulted.
1 Hector, 74, Rear- Admiral George Montagu (B), Capt. Lawrence William Halsted ;
Alexander, 74, Capt. Richard Rodney Bligh; Ganges, 74, Capt. William Truscott;
Colossus, 74, Capt. Charles Morice Pole ; Bellona, 74, Capt. George Wilson ; Theseus, 74,
Capt. Robert Calder ; Arrogant, 74, Capt. Richard Lucas ; Minotaur, 74, Capt. Thomas
Louis ; Ruby, 64, Capt. Sir Richard Hussey Bickerton ; Pallas, 32, Capt. Hon. Henry
Curzon, and Concorde, 36, Capt. Sir Richard John Strachan.
238
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1794.
under easy sail. This French squadron, under Eear-Adrniral Cornic,1
seems to have been sent from Cancale Bay to look out for Villaret.
On the 9th at 7 A.M., when the wind blew light from the north,
Montagu sighted a fleet bearing west. It was soon made out to be
a French fleet of nineteen ships of the line, three frigates, and two
smaller vessels. As a matter of fact, it was the remains of Villaret's
force returning to port. Five of the French ships, being wholly or
ADMIRAL ALAN, LOUD GARDNER.
(From a drawing by Geo. Dance, after a portrait by W. Daniell, painted in 1794, soon after
Gardner had become a Vice- Admiral!)
partially dismasted, were in tow of others. Yet, even deducting
these, Villaret had a great superiority. Moreover, inshore of
Montagu was Comic's squadron of eight sail of the line. In these
circumstances, the British Bear-Admiral deemed it advisable to
avoid an action, and stood away to the southward. Villaret chased ;
but at 5 P.M., when his headmost ships were within four miles of
1 An inexperienced man who had been lately raised to flag-rank, and who appears
not to have been in the French Navy at all in 1791.
1794.]
HONOURS AND REWARDS.
239
the British rear, he hauled upon a wind to the eastward, on the
larboard tack, fearing lest, with his crippled vessels, he should be
drawn to leeward of his port. Montagu then for a short time
sought in vain for Howe ; and, at 4 P.M. on the 10th, bore away
for the Channel. On the 12th he anchored in Cawsand Bay.
Villaret, in company with Bear-Admiral Comic, had anchored
in Bertheaurne Bay on the llth ; and on the 12th, Rear-Admiral
Vanstabel, with the long-expected American convoy, also arrived
there. He had been previously joined by the Montagnard, and
apparently, also, by the Mont Blanc.
For their services in these engagements, Howe received a
diamond-hilted sword and a gold chain, and was visited on board
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF LORD HOWfi's VICTORY OF JUNE 1ST, 1794.
(From an original lent by H.S.H. Captain Prince Louis of Battenberg, R.N.)
the Queen Charlotte at Spithead by the King and the royal family ;
Vice-Admiral Thomas Graves (2) was made Baron Graves in the
Irish peerage ; Vice-Admiral Sir Alexander Arthur Hood was made
Viscount Bridport ; Rear-Admirals Bowyer, Gardner, Pasley, and
Curtis were created Baronets ; and Bowyer and Pasley also received
a pension of £1000 a year each, on account of their wounds.
Certain Captains and Flag-officers, who are indicated in the table
on page 226, were given medals ; and the surviving first Lieutenants
of every ship which had been in the line on June 1st, as well as
he of the Audacious, were made Commanders. Several Lieutenants
of the various flagships were also promoted. The officers, seamen,
Marines, and soldiers who had been present received, of course, the
thanks of both Houses. For Mr. James Bowen, who, both on
240 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
May 29th and on June 1st, had specially distinguished himself,
as Master of the Queen Charlotte, special provision was made.
In the navigating line he could not obtain further promotion. He
was therefore reduced from the rank of Master, and was appointed
a Lieutenant. He was rapidly promoted in his new career, being
made a Commander in 1795 for his conduct in Lord Bridport's
action, and a Post-Captain on September 2nd of the same year.
He died a retired Eear- Admiral in 1835.
Several British ships had notoriously behaved themselves some-
what ill, both on May 29th and on June 1st. It would, therefore,
have been but natural if courts-martial had followed ; but the
Government, anxious not to do anything to detract from the effect
of the victory, did not take the initiative. Thus, only one court-
martial was held. This was applied for by Captain Molloy, of
the Ctesar. The court sat on board the Glory, at Portsmouth,
from April 25th to May 15th, 1795 ; and, in the result, while
admitting Captain Molloy's personal courage, it decided that he
had not done his best to pass through the enemy's line on
May 29th, nor to take up his proper station on June 1st. He
was therefore sentenced to be dismissed his ship, and he was
never again employed.
The Culloden,one of the other ships which had least distinguished
themselves on June 1st, rendered herself further notorious towards
the end of the year. She had been commanded, during the action,
by Captain Isaac Schomberg, and that officer had been followed
by Captain Richard Bundle Burges, and he again by Captain
Thomas Troubridge. "When, on December 3rd, the vessel lay at
Spithead, the greater part of her crew suddenly burst into a state
of mutiny, and barricaded themselves below. News of what had
occurred was sent to the Admiral commanding in the Channel,
and to Captain Troubridge, who was on shore ; and the Marines
were got under arms. On the morning of the 4th it was found
that about two hundred and fifty of her people remained mutinous,
and that the rest, including all the Marines but six, were well
disposed. That afternoon, Admirals Lord Bridport, the Hon.
William Cornwallis, and Colpoys went on board, and in vain
endeavoured to persuade the men to return to their duty. Matters
continued unsettled until the llth, when Captain the Hon. Thomas
Pakenhain, going on board, succeeded in restoring discipline. The
men were then mustered, and ten of the ringleaders seized and
1794.] LOSS OF THE ALEXANDES. 241
sent away for trial. They were court-martialled on December
15th. Two were acquitted and eight sentenced to be hanged. On
January 13th, five of the eight were executed on board the
Culloden. The other three were pardoned.
On June 22nd, Kear-Admiral the Hon. William Cornwallis, in
the Excellent, 74, Captain John Whitby, with eleven other sail of
the line, one 50-gun ship, and three frigates, sailed from Plymouth
to escort an East India convoy clear of the Soundings, and to cruise
in the Bay of Biscay. On September 7th, Lord Howe, in the
Queen Charlotte, 100, with thirty-four sail of the line, including
five Portuguese under Admiral de Valle, and with a number of
frigates, left Torbay to cruise on the coast of France. After
having made an ineffectual attempt to look into Brest Eoad, he
steered down the Channel to protect the British, Spanish, and
Dutch outgoing and incoming convoys. Bad weather supervened ;
and, on the 21st, Howe returned to Torbay. He again sailed in
November ; but he had no opportunity of again meeting the French
fleet.
The main body of that fleet did not, in fact, put to sea until
the last week of the year ; but Bear-Admiral Nielly, with five 74's,
three frigates, and a corvette, sailed from Brest early in November,
in order to endeavour to intercept the homeward-bound British
convoy from Portugal. On November 6th, at 2.30 A.M., in
lat. 48° 25' N. and long. T 53' W., he fell in with the British 74's
Alexander, Captain Richard Rodney Bligh, and Canada, Captain
Charles Powell Hamilton, which had been engaged in esccrting
merchantmen out of Soundings. The British ships stood to the
north-west and were chased. At daybreak, in order to confuse
the enemy, they separated somewhat, the Alexander continuing
her course, and the Canada steering more to the north. Of the
enemy, two ships of the line and two frigates followed the Canada,
and three ships of the line and one frigate pursued the Alexander.
Between 8 and 9 A.M., both vessels had been gained upon suffi-
ciently to allow of a running fight to begin. The British ships then
endeavoured to rejoin for mutual support, but were prevented from
doing so by the French admiral. At about 11 A.M. the Alexander
was brought to close action by a vessel supposed to be the Jean
Bart, which, in half-an-hour, was obliged to sheer off. The Tigre
took her place ; but in another half hour she lost her maintop-
mast, main yard, and mizen topmast. A third ship then took up
VOL. IV. R
242 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
the contest, until, at a little after 1 P.M., the Alexander had lost
her main yard, spanker boom, and all three topgallant yards. She
had all her other masts and yards wounded ; her rigging and sails
cut to pieces ; her hull badly damaged and set on fire ; and- her
hold nearly full of water. As the other French vessels were
rapidly coming up, she struck. The Canada got safely into port.
The Alexander appears to have lost only forty killed and
ADMIRAL SIR RICHARD RODNEY BLIGH, G.C.B.
(From a lithograph by Ridley, after the portrait by Opie.)
wounded, and to have caused her opponent a loss, according to
French accounts, of no fewer than four hundred and fifty men.
She was carried into Brest. Her Captain, who, in the meantime,
had been promoted to be Rear-Admiral, was very kindly treated by
Captain Eenaudin, the late commander of the gallant Vengeur ;
but there is ground for fearing that his people fared much less well.
Bligh, after his exchange, was tried by court-martial on May 27th,
1795, and was most honourably acquitted.
1794.] LIN ZEE ON THE COAST OF CORSICA. 243
After the evacuation of Toulon, Lord Hood, with the Mediter-
ranean fleet, proceeded to Hyeres Bay, and thence, hearing that the
republicans in Corsica were in difficulties owing to lack of provisions
and stores, detached several cruisers to prevent supplies from being
thrown into the island. It was while engaged upon this duty that
a sudden and terrible fate overtook the Ardent, 64, Captain Eobert
Manners Sutton. She was stationed off Villa Franca to watch two
French frigates and a convoy, and, it is supposed, caught fire and
blew up ; but not a single soul survived to tell the tale.
Hood, however, meditated more active measures than a mere
blockade ; and, having opened communication with General Paoli,
he got under sail on January 24th, and made for the Bay of San
Fiorenzo. On the 25th the fleet was dispersed by a gale ; and on
the 29th, not without difficulty, it made Porto Ferrajo, in Elba.
From that place Hood detached the 74's, Alcide, Commodore Eobert
Linzee, Captain John Woodley ; Egmont, Captain Archibald Dick-
son, and Fortitude, Captain William Young (1) ; and the frigates
Lowestoft, 32, Captain William Wolseley, and Juno, 32, Captain
Samuel Hood (2), with transports, containing troops commanded by
Major-General Dundas, to Mortella Bay, where they arrived on
the 7th. The troops were landed that evening ; and on the 8th a
combined attack by land and sea was made on Mortella Tower, the
Fortitude and Juno battering it for two hours and a half. The
attempt miscarried, and the ships had to draw off, the Fortitude
having lost 6 killed and 56 wounded, and having been set on fire.
The fire from the artillery on shore, however, obliged the tower to
surrender, after its little garrison had made a really magnificent
defence. The next post attacked was the Convention Redoubt,
which mounted twenty-one heavy guns, and was considered the key
of San Fiorenzo. The seamen from the squadron, by incredible
exertions, dragged some 18-pounders into a commanding position
which had been supposed to be inaccessible, and, after a bombard-
ment on the 16th and 17th, the redoubt was successfully stormed.
The French retired to San Fiorenzo, where, on the 19th, they burnt
the Fortunee, one of the two frigates which they had with them,
and allowed the other, the Minerve, 38, to sink from the effects of
the damage, which she had sustained from the fire of the British.
They then retreated to Bastia. San Fiorenzo was occupied the
same evening ; and, within a few days, the Minerve was weighed
and carried off. There being already a Minerve in the service, the
E 2
244 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
prize was added to the Navy as the San Fiorenzo, 36. In this affair
the British loss was small. General Paoli had been at hand to
co-operate in case his assistance should be required.
Hood desired next to reduce Bastia ; but Major-General Dundas
considered the scheme impracticable with so small a force. Hood,
therefore, who had, in the meantime, moved with the body of the
fleet to San Fiorenzo, left his anchorage on the 23rd and made a
demonstration off Bastia, cruising there for a fortnight, and gathering
intelligence. He returned to San Fiorenzo Bay on March 5th ; and,
as Dundas still declined to act pending the arrival of 2000 troops
from Gibraltar, the Commander-in-Chief merely embarked such
soldiers as would supply the deficiency of Marines in his ships,
together with a handful of artillerymen, and sailed on April 2nd,
leaving, however, part of his fleet to watch Toulon. He anchored
off Bastia on April 4th, and disembarked the troops, under the
command of Lieut. -Colonel Vilettes, and some seamen, under the
command of Captain Horatio Nelson, of the Agamemnon, at a spot
a little to the north of the town. Exclusive of the Corsican patriots
who co-operated, only 1248 officers and men were employed ; while
the garrison numbered fully 3000. Hood moored his fleet in
crescent formation round the harbour, just out of reach of the
batteries, and entrusted the inshore blockade of the harbour's
mouth to Captain Benjamin Hallowell, with a flotilla of gunboats
and armed launches. The Tmperieuse, Captain William Wolseley,
was detached, as a precautionary measure, to watch the island of
Capraja, where the republicans had a depot of stores.
On April llth, when several British batteries had been erected
in the heights and were ready to be opened, Hood summoned the
town. But the French governor, General Lacombe Saint-Michel,
refused even to read the communication. The batteries were,
therefore, opened on the enemy's works, and were promptly and
hotly replied to. The Proselyte, a 12-pounder bomb, brought from
Toulon, and under the orders of Commander Walter Serocold, was
directed to act against one part of the defences, but, owing to a
heavy swell, became for a time unmanageable under the guns of the
batteries, and was set in flames by red-hot shot. Serocold, however,
fought her gallantly, until he and his people were taken off by the
boats of the squadron. The Proselyte was ultimately burnt to the
water's edge.
The siege continued with varying fortunes. Among the naval
1794.] NELSON AT CALVI. 245
officers who assisted Nelson on shore were Captain Antony Hunt (2),
Commanders Joseph Bullen and Walter Serocold, and Lieutenants
John Gore, Henry Hotham, John Stiles, George Andrews, and Charles
Brisbane. On May 21st, after a siege lasting for thirty-seven, and
negotiations lasting for four, days, the town and citadel surrendered.
The capture cost the British army only 7 killed or mortally wounded,
and 27 wounded or missing. The naval loss was Lieutenant Gary
Tupper, of the Victory, and 6 seamen killed, and 1 lieutenant and
12 seamen wounded. As a result of this success, the island was
induced by General Paoli to formally transfer its allegiance from
France to Great Britain. The transfer was made to Sir Gilbert
Elliot,1 as viceroy, on June 19th ; and the members of the Assembly
took the oath of allegiance to King George.
Ere that time, the expected reinforcements of troops from
Gibraltar had arrived ; and preparations had been made to attack
Calvi, which was still held by the republicans. Hood had gone
away to watch Toulon, leaving Nelson as senior naval officer; and
the latter transported troops to Port Agra, three miles from Calvi,
and there landed them on June 19th. Hood sent a detachment of
the Victory's seamen, with guns, etc., under the orders of Captain
Hallowell and Commander Serocold, to assist ; and on the 27th he
himself arrived before the beleaguered town, and landed some guns.
The siege lasted for 51 days, but, at length, on August 10th, the place
capitulated. The British loss on the part of the army was 23 killed
and 53 wounded, and on the part of the Navy, Commander Walter
Serocold, 1 Midshipman, and 5 seamen killed, and 6 seamen
wounded. Nelson was not reported as having been wounded ; but,
nevertheless, he was badly hurt by some particles of sand or gravel
which had been driven up by a round shot ; and eventually he lost
the sight of one eye, though the injury does not appear to have kept
him from duty even for a day. With Calvi were captured the
French frigates Mignonne, 28, and Melpomene, 40. The former,
being in bad condition, was never commissioned by her new owners ;
but the latter was added to the Navy as a 38-gun frigate.
Lord Hood's anxious watch on Toulon had been instigated by
the knowledge that the French there were rapidly refitting such
ships as had been left to them after the evacuation. The French,
1 Sir Gilbert Elliot was the 4th Bart, of the creation of 1700. Born in 1751, lie
was created Baron Minto, of Minto, in 1797, and, having served as Governor-General
of Bengal, was made Viscount Melgund and Earl of Minto in 1813. He died in 1814.
240 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
indeed, had actually put to sea on June 5th, with seven sail of the
line and four or five frigates under Bear-Admiral Pierre Martin ;
and Hood had at once proceeded in search of them, with a fleet
which, although it numbered thirteen sail of the line and four
frigates only, had in it, owing to recent promotions, no fewer than
eight flag-officers. Hood sighted the enemy on the 10th, and
chased ; and on the llth he drove the French into Gourjean Bay,
the only British ship fortunate enough to get within gunshot being
the Dido, 28, Captain George Henry Towry. The Commander-in-
Chief intended to follow the French, and to destroy them at their
anchors ; but he was prevented by unfavourable weather from
making the attempt. A scheme for attacking the enemy with fire-
ships had also to be abandoned ; and Hood, with part of the fleet,
proceeded, as has been seen, to Calvi, leaving Vice- Admiral Hotham,
with eight ships of the line and four frigates, to watch Bear-Admiral
Martin, who, however, during a spell of bad weather, managed to
get out and re-enter Toulon.
At the beginning of November Hood went home in the Victory,
leaving the command to Vice- Admiral William Hotham (1), who
had his flag in the Britannia, Captain John Holloway. A few days
later, on the llth, a most serious mutiny showed itself in the Windsor
Castle, 98, Bear-Admiral Bobert Linzee, Captain William Shield.
The crew expressed a dislike for the Bear-Admiral, Captain, first
Lieutenant and Boatswain, and demanded that all should be changed.
Vice- Admiral Hotham and Bear-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (2) tried
to settle the difficulty, and Shield asked for a court-martial, which
honourably acquitted him. Nevertheless, Hotham, who seems to
have behaved with regrettable weakness in this matter, sent to the
Windsor Castle a new Captain, John Gore, and a new first Lieu-
tenant and Boatswain, and even went the length of pardoning the
mutineers. This incident throws some light on the condition of
the Mediterranean fleet, save so far as particular ships were con-
cerned, up to the time when the command passed into the firmer
hands of Sir John Jervis.
Nothing of great importance happened during the year on the
North American station, but in the West Indies events were many
and rapid. Vice-Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B., arrived at Barbados
in the Boyne, 98, at the end of January, 1794, to take command.
He was accompanied by Lieut. -General Sir Charles Grey, K.B.,
who was to command the troops to be employed against the French
1794.]
CAPTURE OF MARTINIQUE.
247
colonies. On February 2nd, an expedition composed of the ships
mentioned in the note,1 with about 6100 troops on board, sailed
from Bridgetown, and on the 5th arrived off Martinique, of which
island General Eochambeau was governor, and in which there
were about 600 soldiers, including militia. But, although the island
was ill-manned, its forts were well-armed, mounting as they did
about ninety guns. The only French ships of war there were the
Bienvenue, 32, at Fort Eoyal, and an 18-gun corvette at St. Pierre.
The troops were disembarked at three several points, and, by
March 16th, all the island except Fort Eoyal and Fort Bourbon, was
in the possession of the British, who, however, by that time had
lost 71 killed and 196 wounded or missing. The seamen co-operated
with the troops on shore, and were most useful in dragging up guns
and mortars. A division of 200 of them, under Lieutenants Thomas
Eogers and William Gordon Eutherford, also greatly distinguished
themselves in actual fight ; and another, of 300 seamen with a few
Marines, under Captains Eliab Harvey, William Hancock Kelly and
Lord Garlics, materially aided in the reduction of Fort Bourbon.
Lieutenant Eichard Bowen of the Boyne, under the fire of Fort
Louis and in broad daylight, boarded and attacked the Bienvenue
on March 17th, but subsequently had to abandon her, as men could
not be sent aloft to bend the sails on her yards. The success of
i Ships.
Guna.
Commanders.
Ships.
Guns.
Commanders.
Boyne
Vengeance . .
Irresistible . .
Asia
Veteran . . . .
Beaulieu . . .
Santa Margaritta.
Llnnde . . . .
Solebay . . . .
Quebec . . . .
Ceres
Wine hel sea . . .
Rose
Nautilus . . .
Rattlesnake. . .
Zebra ....
Avenger ....
Vesuvius, bomb
Dromedary, 8t.s. .
IKooJwicA, st.s.
74
74
64
j()
M
38
32
32
32
28
16
Vice- Admiral Sir John
Jervis, K.B.
'Capt. George Grey.
Commodore Charles
Thompson.
Capt. Lord Henry
Paulet.
, John Henry.
„ John Brown.
,. Charles Edmund
[ Nugent.
„ John Salisbury, i
n E.Ub Harvey.
,, John Mark ham.
,. William H-ncock
Kelly
„ Josias Rogers.
,. Richard Incledon.
„ Viscount Garlies.
„ Edward Kiou.s
Cum. James Carpenter.
„ Matthew Henry
Scott.
,, Robert Faulknor.a
„ James Milne (I)/*
t, Charles Sawyer.
„ Sandford Tatbam.
„ John Parker.
The following also shared in the operations at
Guadeloupe, St. Lucia, etc.
Assurance .
Experiment, st.f
Roebuck ,
Ulysses, St.*.
Tetpsichore .
Blanche . .
resource.
Undaunted .
Inspector
Bulldog . . .
Tickler, g.b.
Vernon, g.b.
Teazer, g.b. .
rearer, g.b. .
Spiteful, g.b. .
Tormentor, g.b.
,. i Capt. Velters Cornwall
' t Berkeley.
44 Com. Simon Miller.
44 Capt. Alexander Christie.
44 Com. Nichard Morice.
32 Capt Sampson Edwards.
,,, / „ Chribtopher Par-
** \ ker (2\*
„,, i Com. Hon. Charles
1 \ Herbert (I), act.
28 Capt. Robert Kaulknor.s
16 Ccm. AVyndham Bryer.
It ,, Edward Bruwue.
Henry Wray.
Thomas Henry
Wilson.
j Hope.
K- Smith.
John H hides
Sparkes.
William Wells (2)
Succeeded by Capt. Edward Riou.
• „ „ Matthew Henry Scott.
1 „ Com. Richard Bowen.
Succeeded by Com. Henry William Bayntin.
„ Capt. Robert Faulknor.
* ,, „ James Carpenter.
248
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1794.
this daring venture of Bowen's led to an attack on the town of Fort
Royal and its chief work, Fort Louis, under cover of the Asia, 64,
and Zebra, sloop, the boats of the fleet being led in by Captains
Nugent of the Veteran, and Eiou, of the Bose, under the direction
of Commodore Charles Thompson. On the 20th this attack was
made, though the Asia was unfortunately unable to get into her
assigned position. Commander Robert Faulknor, however, more
than made up for the Asia's inability to co-operate ; and running
the Zebra close under the walls of Fort Louis, he jumped over-
board with his ship's company and stormed and carried the work,
greatly facilitating the success of the day's operations. The boats,
meanwhile, attacked and took Fort Royal, the result being that, on
the 22nd, General Rochambeau at Fort Bourbon surrendered, and
the island passed into British hands. The British naval loss
between the 16th and the 22nd was Commander James Milne (1), of
the Avenger, and 13 seamen killed, and Commander Sandford
Tatham, of the Dromedary, Lieutenants Thomas Henry Wilson
and Thomas Clarke, and 25 others wounded. The Bienvenue was
added to the Navy as a 28-gun frigate, under the name Undaunted,
and the gallant Robert Faulknor was posted to the command of
her, Lieutenant Richard Bowen being made, in his stead, Com-
mander into the Zebra.
A garrison and a small squadron, under Commodore Charles
Thompson, were left at Martinique ; and on March 31st troops
were embarked at Fort Royal for an attack on St. Lucia. The
fleet arrived there on April 1st, and, in the course of the evening,
the troops were landed at three different places. On the 4th,
General Ricard surrendered. On the 5th, the greater part of the
troops returned to Martinique ; and on the 8th, Jervis sailed thence
to attack Guadeloupe. On the 10th, he anchored in Gosier Bay in
that island; but all his transports did not arrive till the 12th. On
the llth, however, some troops were landed under cover of the
Winchelsea, 32, which silenced the enemy's batteries. Her captain,
Lord Garlies, was the only person wounded on that occasion. On
the 12th, Fleur d'Epee was taken by Major-General Dundas and
Captain Robert Faulknor, and soon afterwards Fort St. Louis,
Point a Pitre and a battery on Islot a Cochon were abandoned, thus
handing over Grande Terre to the British. The conquest cost the
Navy only 13 wounded. In the meantime a detached squadron,
consisting of the Quebec, 32, Captain Josias Rogers, Ceres, 32,
1794.]
GUADELOUPE TAKEN AND RETAKEN.
249
Captain Richard Incledon, Rose, 28, Captain Matthew Henry Scott,
and a sloop, had carried the works on the Saintes, on the 10th,
without loss. Leaving small garrisons at Fleur d'Epee,Point a Pitre
and other places, the rest of the troops quitted Grande Terre in trans-
ports on the 14th, and went round to Petit Bourg, on Basse Terre,
where they landed without opposition. On the 20th, after some
batteries had been carried, General Collot surrendered the entire
Sill CHARLES EDMUND NUGENT, G.C.H., ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET.
(From a Utlwjmph by Ridley, after the portrait by R. Cosway, B.A.)
island but its dependencies. Major-General Dundas was placed
in command, and the Vice-Admiral, with Sir Charles Grey, left the
island.
But the British occupation of Guadeloupe was not for long
accepted by the French. On June 4th, a squadron of nine vessels
bearing the French flag appeared off Cape Fra^ois, and, in the
afternoon, anchored in Gosier Bay, there disembarking troops
under Victor Hugues. The Eoyalist inhabitants behaved badly,
and deserted the British; and Lieut. -Colonel Drurmuond, com-
250 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
manding in Basse Terre, had to retreat in boats to Grande Terre.
The situation was reported, early on the 5th, to the Vice- Admiral,
who was at St. Christopher ; and he at once despatched reinforce-
ments, following on the same day, with Sir Charles Grey, in the
Boyne, with the Veteran in company, having sent the Winclielsea to
Antigua, and the Nautilus to Martinique, for troops.
On June 7th, the Vice- Admiral and General arrived off Guade-
loupe, and were there joined by Commodore Charles Thompson in
the Vanguard, 74, Captain Charles Sawyer, with the Vengeance, 74.
Sir Charles landed on Basse Terre, and Sir John Jervis, with the
Boyne, Vanguard, Vengeance and Veteran, proceeded off Point a
Pitre. A landing on Grande Terre was effected on June 19th,
under cover of the Solebay and Winclielsea, at Anse a Canot
without loss, two battalions of seamen co-operating under Captain
Lewis Eobertson, of the Veteran, and Captain Sawyer. Several
skirmishes occurred, but without definite result ; and, after a failure
at Point a Pitre, the British forces were re-embarked on July 3rd.
The Navy lost in the operations Captain Eobertson, of the Veteran,
and 6 men killed, and Lieutenant Isaac Wolley, Lieutenant of
Marines John Mercer, and 27 men wounded, besides 16 men miss-
ing. The French remained at Grande Terre till September 27th,
when, having received reinforcements from France, they landed at
Goyanne and Lamentin in Basse Terre, whence they attacked the
British camp at Berville. The British defended their position until
October 6th, when they surrendered to Victor Hugues. The only
post then remaining to them on the island was Fort Mathilde, the
garrison of which, after a two months' siege, was cleverly taken off
on the night of December 10th, by Captain Eichard Bowen, of the
Terpsichore. Bowen had the misfortune to be badly wounded while
leaving the shore in the last of the boats. Vice-Admiral Sir John
Jervis, who had gone home in November, had by that time been
relieved by Vice-Admiral Benjamin Caldwell.
It has been seen that at the end of 1793, Commodore Ford was
in possession of Jerernie, and other places in the French part of
San Domingo. Meanwhile the Spaniards had taken possession of
many posts on their side. On January 2nd, 1794, Ford detached
the Penelope, 32, Captain Bartholomew Samuel Eowley offering
terms of capitulation to Port au Prince. These were refused ;
and, in consequence, the Commodore blockaded the harbour. On
February 3rd, Cape Tiburon was taken, after slight resistance ; and
1794.] SUCCESSES IN SAN DOMINGO. 251
on the llth Aoul was carried. On May 31st, the Europa, 50, Com-
modore Ford, Captain George Gregory ; Irresistible, 74, Captain John
Henry ; Belliqueux 64, Captain James Brine ; Sceptre, 64, Captain
James Richard Dacres (1), and three frigates and three sloops, with
1465 effective troops on board under Brigadier-General White, arrived
in the Bay of Port au Prince from Cape Nicolas Mole. On June 1st,
the Belliqueux, Sceptre and Penelope opened fire on Fort Brissoton,
the Europa and Irresistible, under sail, lending occasional assistance ;
and, in the course of the day, troops were disembarked under the
direction of Commander Thomas Affleck, of the Fly, sloop. The
operations were interrupted at 6 P.M. by a most tremendous storm ;
but, in the consequent confusion and obscurity, the fort was rushed
and carried. On the 3rd, the Hermione, 32, Captain John Hills,
and the Iphigenia, 32, Captain Patrick Sinclair, bombarded a work
at Bernadou to make a diversion during the advance of the troops ;
and, on the 4th, Port au Prince was taken possession of. There
was little loss, the Hermione having 5 killed and 6 wounded, and the
Belliqueux 10 wounded.
Tiburon, after its capture, was garrisoned by a small force under
Lieutenant George Bradford of the 23rd Foot. Its main defences
were a battery of three inefficient 18-pounders, and an armed
transport, the King George. On December 25th, at dawn, a body
of French from Aux Cayes made a descent, and sank the King
George after she had made a plucky fight. They then drove out the
garrison, who retired to Cape Donna Maria.
On the coast of Africa the French won a small and not par-
ticularly creditable success. On September 28th, a small squad-
ron, under Captain Z. J. T. Allemande, approached Sierra Leone
under British colours, and, suddenly changing them for French,
began a bombardment of the town, which was entirely unprotected,
and which quickly hauled down the British flag. In spite of this,
firing was continued for nearly two hours ; after which the French
landed and began to plunder. The French commander studiously
protected the mulattoes and half castes, but burnt the church, ware-
houses and residences of all British inhabitants. He later captured
Banca ; the garrison of which escaped. The French remained at
Sierra Leone until October 23rd, and then, being very sickly, with-
drew, destroying the Guineamen and other craft along the coast, and
then returning home. They claim to have burnt or sunk during
this raid 210 sail of British, Spanish and Portuguese vessels.
252 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
In spite of the numerous French losses, there were still in Brest,
at the end of 1794, thirty-five sail of the line more or less ready for
sea, besides five others that were being built or repaired.1 But
there was a great scarcity of stores, and there was immense difficulty
in feeding the seventy-two thousand people in the town, who were
more or less dependent on the government. It was, therefore,
considered to be desirable to send some of these elsewhere, in order
to relieve the pressure ; and, at the same time, it was thought ex-
pedient to strengthen the French fleet at Toulon. In pursuance of
these designs, six sail of the line, under Bear-Admiral Benaudin,
who had been captain of the Vengeur, were filled up with six
months' provisions, and sent out of Brest under convoy of the
remainder of the Brest fleet, which was instructed to see them
beyond the usual cruising-grounds of the British Channel fleet.
This last had been joined by a weak Portuguese contingent. Owing
to the scarcity at Brest, that part of the force which was merely to
go out and return had but a fortnight's stores on board, and was,
upon the whole, hardly fit to put to sea. The fleet, under the
command of Vice-Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse, and consisting of thirty-
five sail of the line, thirteen frigates, and sixteen small craft, sailed
in the last wTeek of December during a gale of wind, but, in going
out, lost the Bepublicain, 110, and sustained so much other damage
that it had to put back, and was not able to make an offing until
December 31st.
Vague news of this reached England on January 2nd, 1795 ; and
the British frigates Flora, Captain Sir John Borlase Warren,
Arethusa, Captain Sir Edward Pellew, and Diamond, Captain Sir
William Sidney Smith, were on that day despatched from Falmouth
for Brest to ascertain what had really occurred. On the 3rd, being
off the French port, Warren ordered the Diamond to look into the
harbour, and, with an east wind, that ship began to beat up towards
the entrance. At 2 P.M., Smith observed that three men-of-war,
evidently French, were also working in. At 5 P.M. he anchored, so
as to take advantage of the next flood tide, but he discovered that he
was barely two miles from a ship of the line, apparently one of those
vessels which he had seen beating to windward. At 11 P.M. the
Diamond again began to work in, and, when the ebb tide made,
1 In addition, there were building at Lorient one 80 and two 74's, and at Rochefort,
one 110, cue 80, and one 74. These, with all the ships at Brest, brought up the total
of ships of the line in the French Atlantic ports to forty-six.
1795.] THE DIAMOND RECONNOITRES BREST. 253
tacked between Bertheaume and Camaret Roads, so as to create
as little suspicion as possible. She had previously passed close to a
French frigate at anchor in Basse Buzee. At dawn on the 4th,
Smith saw two vessels coming out, and fifteen small craft at anchor
in Camaret Eoad, but he discovered nothing in Brest itself, and
therefore bore up towards St. Mathieu. A little later, signals were
made to him from the shore at Bertheaume, and, in consequence,
ADMIRAL SIU JOHN BOKLASF. WARREN, BART., K.B.
(From a lithograph bij Ridley, after the portrait by Opie.)
the Diamond hoisted the French national colours. She stood on,
and passed within hail of the line-of-battle ship, which was anchored
off St. Mathieu, and which had jury yards and topmasts, and
appeared to be very leaky. Sir Sidney was bold enough to ask the
French captain if he needed help, and received a reply in the
negative, and the information that the ship was the Nestor, 74,
which, having suffered in a gale of wind, had left the Brest fleet
three days earlier. Upon this the Diamond crowded sail, and
254 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
rejoined her consorts, and, although the French frigate Virginie, 40,
and the Fougueux, 74, which had lately been launched at Eochefort,
and which had been escorted up the coast by the frigate, were quite
close at hand, she safely rejoined Warren.
This exploit deserves attention because it indicates very pointedly
the immense value to naval officers of a first-rate colloquial know-
ledge of a foreign language. Smith happened to speak French with
admirable facility and purity. No one who did less could have
accomplished what he effected. Seeing how exceedingly rare a
thing it is to-day to encounter a British naval officer who can
speak any language but his own, without at once betraying
his lack of familiarity with it, it is unhappily doubtful whether,
even if she were disguised as carefully as the Diamond was, and
if she knew the private signals, a British cruiser could now, in
war time, repeat the Diamond's audacious and successful recon-
naissance.1
The gale, which had sent the Nestor back to port, damaged
several other ships of the Brest fleet, and so much delayed the rest
that the vessels destined for Toulon had to share their six months'
stores among their consorts, and to surrender all idea of prosecuting
the voyage at that time. A little later, during a fog, a division of
eight sail of the line and some frigates parted company, and returned
to port, but the other divisions still cruised together, chiefly perhaps
for exercise, until January 28th, when they encountered a very
violent storm, in which the Neuf Thermidor (ex Jacobin), 80, the
Scipion, 80, and the Superbe, 74, foundered, with considerable loss
of life, and the Neptune, 74, was wrecked on the rocks of Peros.
The Temeraire made St. Malo ; the Convention made Lorient, and
the other part of the fleet, very crippled, made Brest on February 2nd.
During its absence from port it had captured or destroyed about one
hundred sail of merchantmen, besides the Daphne, 20, Captain
William Edward Cracraft.
In the meantime, Howe, with the Channel fleet, had been
lying at anchor, waiting for definite news of the French. On
February 14th he sailed from Torbay, and, on the 15th, was joined
1 In 1892, when the author was a passenger in H.M.S. Northampton, the Brazilian
training ship, Almirante Barroso, entered Queenstown Harbour, where the cruiser lay
at anchor. Upon the Brazilian captain putting off in his boat to visit his British
colleague, inquiry was made for an interpreter ; but no one among the officers of the
British ship was found who could speak even French — much less Portuguese. The
author, therefore, had to act as interpreter to the two captains.
1795.]
C'OSNWALLIS'S RETREAT.
255
off Plymouth by a British 74, and five Portuguese ships,1 which
brought up his strength to forty-two sail of the line, and about an
equal number of frigates and small craft. He saw some foreign-
bound convoys safely out of the Channel, and then, learning that
the French were again in Brest, proceeded to Spithead.
As soon as Villaret had returned to port, every effort was made
to again complete for sea the six French sail of the line intended for
Toulon. By great exertions, this was done in time to enable Eear-
Adrniral Eenaudin to sail on February 22nd. He reached his
destination without serious misadventure on April 4th, with the
Formidable, 80, Jupiter, 74, Mont Blanc, 74, Jemmapes, 74, Revolu-
tion, 74, Tyrannicide, 74, three frigates, and two or three small
craft. This opportune reinforcement made the French fleet in the
Mediterranean superior to the British.
Supplies were still short at Brest, and there was continued
difficulty in refitting the ships there. Yet, early in May, it was
found possible to send out Rear- Admiral Jean Gaspar Vence, with
three seventy-fours, and six or seven frigates, to bring in a convoy of
coasters, which had been collected at Bordeaux, in order to proceed
up the coast.
It does not appear whether the sailing of this force was known
in England ; but, on May 30th, 1795, Vice-Admiral the Hon. William
Cornwallis, with a squadron which is described in the note,2 was
1 Vasco da Gama, Maria, Primeira, Rainha de Portugal, Conde de Henrique and
Pi-incessa de Beira, all 74's.
Ships.
Guus.
Commanders.
Royal Sovereign ....
100
74
(Vice- Admiral Hon. William Cornwallis.
\Capt. John Whitby.
Sir Charles Cotton, Bt.
74
Sir Erasmus Gower Kt
74
Lord Charles Fitzgerald.
Bellerophon
74
Jame*, Lord Cranstoun.
38
Hon. Robert Stopford.
Pallas
32
Hon. Henry Curzon.
Kingfisher 1
18
Com. Thomas Le Marchant Gosselin.
1 Detached on June 11th, with prizes.
The united French squadrons, after the junction of MM. Villaret-Joyeuse and
Vence on June 15th, were composed as follows : — Peuple, 120 ; Alexandre, 74 ; Droits
de VHomme, 74 ; Formidable, 74 ; Fougueux, 74 ; Jean Bart, 74 ; Mucius, 74 ;
Nestor, 74 ; Redoutable, 74 ; Tigre, 74 ; Wattignies, 74 ; ZeU, 74 ; Brave (rase), 50 ;
Scevola (ras4), 50 ; Virginie, 40 ; Proserpine, 40 ; Insurgente, 36 ; Dryade, 36 ;
Fraternite, 40 ; Fi'lele, 36 ; Cocarde, 36 ; Regeneree, 40 ; with another frigate, three
armed ships, two brigs and two cutters.
256 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
detached from the fleet at Spithead to cruise off Ushant. On
June 8th, being off Point Penmarck, Cornwallis sighted a number
of sail E. by N. These ships were Vence's squadron returning with
its convoy, which was a very large one. As soon as Vence had
assured himself that the vessels in sight, and now in chase of him,
were British, he stood for Belle Isle under a press of sail. The
British sailed very unequally, and when, at 2 P.M., the Kingfisher,
Phaeton and Triumph began to fire on the rear of the enemy, one
at least of their consorts was hull down. As the leading French
ships were already well under the island, Cornwallis signalled his
vessels to close. At 4 P.M. he chased two French frigates, one with
a ship in tow, in the S.W., and took the ship, which was cast off
and abandoned as he approached. A little later, the leading British
vessels exchanged chots with the batteries of Belle Isle. In the
meantime, a few other vessels of the French convoy had been taken,
and, having recalled his chasing ships, the Vice-Admiral stood off,
leaving the enemy plying to windward for the anchorage in Palais
Road. On the llth, Cornwallis sent the Kingfisher into port with
the prizes, and stood back to the S.E. to watch M. Vence.
By that time, news of what had occurred had reached Brest, and,
as it was supposed by some French officers, and by the deputies there,
that Vence was blockaded, all the available ships were ordered to
proceed to his rescue, although, in fact, he could have reached
Lorient in perfect safety without any assistance. On June 12th,
thsrefore, Vice-Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse, in the Penple (ex Mon-
tague), 120, with Rear-Admirals Y. J. Kerguelen and Eustache
Bruix, got under way, with nine sail of the line, two fifty-gun rases,
seven frigates, and four corvettes, and on the 15th, off Isle Groix,
fell in with M. Vence, who was then on his way to Brest. The
combined French fleet was then as given in the note above. On the
16th, at 10.30 A.M., while working off the land near Penmarck, with
the wind W.N.W., the French sighted Cornwallis direct to wind-
ward, making for Belle Isle.
The Phaeton, after signalling that the enemy was of superior
force, did not haul her wind, but stood on. Cornwallis, who pro-
bably had in his mind that he was in the presence merely of Vence
and his convoy, did the same, and thus drew much nearer than he
would have approached had he known how strong, as well as how
numerous, were the French. But at 11 A.M., being obviously too
weak to offer battle, he hauled to the wind on the starboard tack,
1795.J COJKNWALLIS'S RETREAT. 257
under all sail, and formed a line ahead, the order being : Brunswick,
Royal Sovereign, Bellerophon, Triumph, Mars. At 2 P.M., the
French, then on the same tack as the British, separated into two
divisions, one tacking and standing to the north, and the other
continuing its course to the south. A little later the wind shifted to
the north, and thus enabled the northern division to weather, and
the southern division to lie well up for, the British squadron. At
that time one French division bore, E. by N. from the Bellerophon,
about eight miles, and the other, S.E., about ten miles, the one
being on her starboard, and the other on her port quarter. In the
night, however, during which the Bellerophon and the Brunswick
had to cut away their anchors, and to throw overboard a quantity of
gear and provisions in order to improve their sailing, the French
formed in three divisions, and, at daylight on the 17th, were seen
coming up fast, the weather division consisting of three sail of the
line and five frigates ; the centre division of five sail of the line and
four frigates, and the lee division of four sail of the line and five
frigates, two brigs, and two cutters ; and the weather division being
already abreast of the British rear.
At about 9 A.M., the French van ship, a seventy-four, opened on
the Mars, and the frigate Virginie, 40, ran up on the lee quarter of
the Mars, and repeatedly yawed to fire at her, the British ship, of
course, replying. At 9.30 A.M., as the Bellerophon, of all the ships
of the squadron, could least afford to lose a spar or a sail, Cornwallis
ordered her ahead. She passed to leeward of the Royal Sovereign,
which shortened sail for her, and the order of the line then stood :
Brunswick, Bellerophon, Royal Sovereign, Triumph, Mars. Just
before noon, all the British ships were engaged, each firing her stern
and quarter guns as they could be brought to bear. At 1 P.M., the
second ship of the French van took up the action, and at 1.30, the
leading ship, having lost her main topgallant mast, sheered off, and
dropped astern. For the following three or four hours the French
van harassed the British rear, and, at length, the Mars, considerably
damaged aloft, began to fall to leeward. Observing this, Cornwallis
signalled her to alter course to starboard, or away from the French
lee division, which was most troublesome to her ; and then, in the
Royal Sovereign, the Vice-Admiral himself bore round towards her,
followed by the Triumph, and delivered rakin'g broadsides into the
bows of those French ships which were closest up with the chase.
This manoeuvre saved the Mars, and presently enabled Cornwallis to
VOL. iv. s
258
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1795.
form anew a close order of battle. Four French van ships, which
had bore up, hoping to secure the Mars, considered it wise to haul
to the wind, and, although distant and desultory firing continued for
a time, it entirely ceased at 6.10 P.M. Half-an-hour later the French
shortened sail, and relinquished the pursuit.1
In the course of this admirably managed and celebrated retreat
of Cornwallis, the Mars and Triumph were the only British ships
ADMIRAL SIR CHARLES COTTON, BART.
(From an engraving by Page, after a family miniature.)
that suffered from the enemy's fire. The Mars had her mainmast
and her fore and main topsail yards damaged, and much standing
and running rigging destroyed ; but she had only twelve people
wounded. The Triumph also was somewhat injured aloft ; but she
had no one hurt. All five ships, however, sacrificed their stern
frames and galleries more or less in order to keep up the heaviest
possible stern fire ; and the Triumph cut away a large part of her
stern, except the timbers, so as to improvise the necessary ports.
1 ' Precis des Ev&ements,' by Kerguelen.
1795.] CORNWALLIS'S RETREAT. 259
The failure to capture Cornwallis's little squadron is explained in
French accounts by the statement that some of the French leading
ships disobeyed signals and were badly handled, and that Bridport's
fleet was sighted at the critical moment. The truth is that Brid-
port's force was never sighted at all. James points out that it is
probable that the real cause of the failure was the moral effect
produced by a ruse which was practised by the Phaeton on the
morning of the 17th. Detached some miles ahead of her squadron,
she made the signals for a fleet in the W.N.W., and, later, began
pretended communications with this imaginary force to windward,
indicating at the same time to Cornwallis that the supposed ships
were of the line. This comedy was pursued until 6 P.M., when, by
a strange chance, several small sail appeared in the quarter towards
which all French eyes were by that time directed. The Phaeton
then wore to rejoin her friends. That was enough. A short time
afterwards Villaret tacked to the eastward. Thus, thanks to ex-
cellent discipline and faultless behaviour, combined with sound
tactics, did five ships of the line make a triumphant escape from
twelve, and from more than as many frigates.1 Cornwallis in his
modest dispatch said :—
" I shall ever feel the impression which the good conduct of the Captains, officers,
seamen, Marines, and soldiers in the squadron has made on my mind ; and it was the
greatest pleasure I ever received to Bee the spirit manifested by the men, who, instead
of being cast down at seeing thirty sail of the enemy's ships attacking our little
squadron, were in the highest spirits imaginable. I do not mean the Royal
Sovereign alone : the same spirit was shown in all the ships as they came near me ;
and although, circumstanced as we were, we had no great reason to complain of the
conduct of the enemy, yet our men could not help repeatedly expressing their contempt
of them. Could common prudence have allowed me to let loose their valour, I hardly
know what might not have been accomplished by such men."
It is characteristic of Cornwallis that his only allusion to the
most gallant episode in the whole affair is the following : —
" In the evening they made show of a more serious attack upon the Mars, and
obliged me to bear up for her support."
1 Cornwallis's thanks to his squadron were thus handsomely conveyed: "Royal
Sovereign, June 18th, 1795. Vice-Admiral Cornwallis returns his sincere thanks to the
Captains, officers, seamen, and Marines of the fleet under his orders, for their steady
and gallant conduct in the presence of the French fleet yesterday ; which firmness, he
has no doubt, deterred the enemy from making a more serious attack. It would give
the Vice-Admiral pleasure to put the whole of their exertions in effect by meeting a
more equal force, when the country would receive advantage, as it now does honour,
from the spirit so truly manifested by its brave men."
S 2
260
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1795.
. The thanks of both Houses were unanimously given to the
participators in this action.
Cornwallis proceeded to Plymouth with his intelligence, and
Villaret made for Brest ; but, before he reached it, a gale from the
north, lasting for twenty-seven hours, dispersed his fleet and drove
him to take shelter under Belle Isle. There he collected his vessels,
and, weighing, made sail ; but scarcely had he done so ere, on
June 22nd, the British Channel fleet appeared. Howe being ill, it
was commanded by Admiral Lord Bridport. It had sailed from
Spithead on June 12th and consisted of the ships set forth below.1
The Channel fleet had put to sea to protect an expedition bound,
under Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren, in the Pomone, 40, for
Quiberon Bay. This expedition, the proceedings of which will be
narrated presently, had parted company on the 19th, near Belle Isle ;
and Bridport had then stood out from the coast with a view to
preventing any interference from the direction of Brest, the absence
from which of Villaret's fleet was then unknown. Warren's ad-
vanced frigate soon afterwards saw the French coming out from
under Belle Isle ; and the Commodore, altering course, sent a vessel
with the information to Bridport. On the 20th Warren himself
sighted the Comrnander-in-Chief ; but he had already received an
order from him to detach to the main fleet the three line-of-battle
ships Robust, 74, Captain Edward Thornbrough, Thunderer, 74,
Captain Albemarle Bertie, and Standard, 64, Captain Joseph
Ellison, as a reinforcement.
Bridport, with his own fourteen sail of the line, kept between
1 Lord Bridport's fleet in the action oft' Groix, June 23rd, 1795 : —
Ships.
Guns.i Commanders. Ships. Guns.
Commanders.
lAtimiral Lord Bridport ,.„,,•„.,,
74
(Capt. Christopher Parker
Royal George . .
100 < (W).
I (2)-
(Capt. William Domett. ,-„.,•„„
74
( „ Sir James Sau-
Queen Charlotte
100
i „ Sir Andrew Snapc
i I>ouglas, Kt. Irresistible
74
\ marez, Kt.
, Richard Grindall.
1
{Vice- Admiral Sir Alan liussell
74
, Thomas Larcom.
Queen ....
98
Gardner. | Colossus
74
, John Monkton.
Capt. William Bedford, i lievolutionn
lir
44
, Francis Cole.
{Vice- Admiral John Col- • i Thalia
36
. Lord Henry Paulet.
London ....
98
poys (B). 1 Nymplie
36
, George Murray (3).
Capt. Edward Griffith. Aquilon
32
, Robert Barlow.
iRear - Admiral Henry Astrcea
32
, Richard Lane.
Prince of Wales .
93
1 Harvev (R). tiabet
(Capt. John Bazely (2). ,/>„_-- r,
I „ Claries Powell «*""«•> *•*•
20
14
{
, Edward Codringtou.
, Hon. Henry Black-
wood.
Prince ....
98
\ Hamilton. Incendiary, f.s.
14
„ John Draper.
Ba.rf.eur . . .
98
{,, James Kichard Charon, hosp. s.
Dacres (1). Argus, lugger .
44
14
Com. Walter Locke.
Prince George . .
98
„ William Edge. Dolly, lugger.
{Rear - Admiral Lord
Sans Pareil • .
80
Hugh Seymour (R).
Capt. William Browell. |
1795.]
B BID POST'S ACTION OFF GROIX.
261
Warren and the French fleet, while Warren's three ships of the line
were endeavouring to join from the N.W. ; but, owing to a shift
of wind, the Commander-in-Chief did not sight the enemy until
3.30 A.M. on June 22nd. The British were then in lat. 47° 4' N.,
and long. 4° 16' W. with Belle Isle bearing E. by N.p[., distant
forty-two miles ; and they were standing upon the starboard tack
with a light wind from the S. by E.
Villaret appearing to have no desire for battle, Bridport at
ADMIKAL SIH KRASMUS (iOWKU, KT.
(From a lithograph by Hldleu, after the portrait by Livesai/.)
6.30 A.M. signalled the Sans Pareil, Orion, Colossus, Irresistible,
Valiant, and Russell, his best sailing ships, to chase, and, at
6.45 A.M., ordered the entire fleet to do the same. Each ship
thereupon set all possible sail that could be carried on a wind ; and
by 12 noon the centre of the French fleet, which was then standing
in for the land, bore E.S.E., distant about twelve miles. It was
then nearly calm ; but such wind as there was had southed some-
what. At 7 P.M. the Commander-in-Chief signalled to harass the
262 MA JOS OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
enemy's rear, and, at 7.25, to engage as the ships got up and to
take stations for mutual support. By sundown the British fleet had
gained considerably; but, at about 10.30 P.M., the ships were all
taken aback, and it afterwards fell nearly calm. At 3 A.M. on the
23rd, however, a light breeze rose from the S.W. by S., and at
daylight the French fleet was visible directly ahead, all the ships
being in a crowd except three or four which tailed out. The
rearmost of these was not more than three miles from the British
van. The British were then much scattered, the Irresistible
leading, the Queen Charlotte, which had been most excellently
handled, being on her starboard quarter, and all the rest being
astern. Behind the Queen Charlotte the next ships were the Orion,
Sans Pareil, Colossus, and RtisseU.
At 4 A.M. Isle Groix bore on the Queen Charlotte's lee bow, that
is nearly east, distant eight miles. The rearmost ship of the French
fleet was then the Alexandre, which, as the Alexander, had been
captured in the previous year from the British. She was a wretched
sailer; and, at 5 A.M., she was taken in tow by a French frigate.
Just before 6 A.M. she and a few of the ships next ahead of her
began to fire their aft guns at the Irresistible, and at 6 the latter
opened on the Alexandre, the example being soon followed by the
Orion. Upon this, the Alexandre was abandoned by the frigate
which had been towing her.
At about 6.15 A.M. the Queen Charlotte began to fire her star-
board guns into the Formidable,1 the next ahead of the Alexandre,
the Formidable replying ; but, at 6.30, after receiving in addition
some shot from the Sans Pareil, the French ship caught fire on the
poop. From that moment she suffered very severely, and began to
drop astern ; and when, at length, she lost her mizen mast, she bore
up and struck. By that time, besides the Irresistible, Queen Charlotte,
Sans Pareil, and Orion, the Colossus, Russell, London, and Queen,
on the British side, and the Peuple, Mucius, Wattignies, Nestor,
Tigre, and Redoutable, in addition to the Alexandre, on the French
side, were, or had been, all more or less engaged. The other French
ships, Zele, Fougueux, Jean Bart, and Droits de I'Homme, were too
far ahead, and the remaining British ships too far astern, to partici-
pate. The Queen Charlotte, which had already done so much, was
so injured aloft as to have become almost unmanageable ; but at
7.14 she was still able, by opening her broadside on the crippled
1 Commanded by the celebrated C. A. L. Durand, Comte de Linois.
1795.]
BRIDPORTS ACTION OFF GR01X.
263
Alexandre, to compel that ship to surrender. At about the same
time the Tigre, which had been already engaged by the Queen
Charlotte and Sans Pareil, struck, after receiving the fire of the
Queen and London.
It was not until a few minutes before 8 A.M. that Lord Bridport's
flagship, the Royal George, passed ahead on the starboard side of the
Queen Charlotte, which then lay repairing her damages aloft, but
which almost immediately afterwards hauled her fore and main
tacks on board to assist the Commander-in-Chief. At 8.15, although
Bear- Admiral Kerguelen wrote of the British at that time that " s'ils
avait bien manoeuvre, ils auraient pu, ou prendre tous nos vaisseaux,
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF LORD BBIDl'ORT's ACTION, JUNE 23BD, 1705.
(From an original Unt by H.S.H. Capt. Prince Louis of Battenbcrg, S.X.)
ou les faire perir a la c6te," Bridport signalled the Colossus, then a
mile and a half on the Queen Charlotte's starboard or weather bow.
to discontinue the action ; and, at 8.20, he made a similar signal to
the Sans Pareil, which was about a mile and a half on her port
bow, lying under the quarter of the Peuple. Directly afterwards
the Royal George, being about half a mile from the west point of
Isle Groix, bore up, and fired her starboard broadside into the stern
and port quarter of the Peuple, and her other broadside into the
Tigre, which she did not then know had struck. She thereupon
wore round from the land, and from the French fleet, and was
followed by the other British ships. The Admiral ordered the
Prince, Barfleur, and Prince George to take the prizes in tow ; and
the fleet stood away with them to the S.W. The French, thus
264 MA JOB OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
unexpectedly relieved, kept their wind, and, after making several
tacks, took refuge between Isle Groix and the entrance to
L orient.
None of the British ships lost any spars ; and the only ones
which had any seriously damaged seem to have been the Queen
Charlotte, Sans Pareil, and Irresistible. Among the officers killed
were Lieutenant Charles Maurice Stocker, and Second Lieutenant
of Marines William Jephcott, both of the Sans Pareil, and Captain
Bacon of the 118th Eegiment of Foot, who was in the Russell.
Among the wounded were Captain Grindall, of the Irresistible, and
Lieutenant Eobert Mends, of the Colossus. The total loss in the
British ships engaged was : Irresistible, 3 killed, 11 wounded ;
Orion, 6 killed, 18 wounded ; Queen Charlotte, 4 killed, 32 wounded ;
Sans Pareil, 10 killed, 2 wounded ; Colossus, 5 killed, 30 wounded ;
Russell, 3 killed, 10 wounded ; London, none killed, 3 wounded ; and
Royal George, none killed, 7 wounded : total, 31 killed, and 113
wounded.
The total French loss cannot be stated ; but the losses in the
prizes were heavy, the Tigre losing 130, the Alexandre 220, and the
Formidable 320 ; total, 670 killed and wounded in those three ships
alone. The Tigre and Alexandre were added to the Navy by their
old names. As there was already a Formidable, the prize of that
name was adopted as the Belleisle, under the mistaken impression
that the action had been fought off Belle Isle, instead of, as was
actually the case, off Isle Groix.
As soon as Villaret was in comparative safety, he called a council
of his flag-officers, who assured him that, if he anchored on the
coast, he would imperil the rest of his fleet, which the British would
certainly attack from windward. Under their advice, therefore, he
anchored in the port of Lorient before 8 P.M.1
Bridport's strange and almost unaccountable forbearance pro-
vokes from Mahan the following remarks :—
" Such was the extreme circumspection characterising the early naval operations of
the British, until Jervis and Nelson enkindled their service with the relentless energy
and spirit inspired by Bonaparte on laud. Those to whom St. Vincent and the Nile,
Algeciras and Copenhagen, have become history, see with astonishment nine ships of
capital importance permitted to escape thus easily from fourteen, forgetting the hold
1 ' Precis des Evenements,' by Kerguelen, who was present with his flag in the
Fraternite ; Disp. of Villaret-Joyeuse ; MS. notes of Adm. Linois : Report of
M. Vence.
1795.]
B RID PORTS ACTION OFF OROIX.
265
tradition has on the minds of men, and that it belongs to genius to open the way into
which others then eagerly press. How the Admiralty viewed Bridport's action may be
inferred from his retaining command of the fleet until April, 1800. The ships that
reached Lorient had to remain till the winter, when they slipped back two or three at
a time to Brest." '
Of the five British flag-officers present, three, viz., Bridport,
Alan Gardner and Lord Hugh Seymour, received the thanks of
Parliament. As James hints, it is difficult to understand the reason
ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM DOMETT, O.C.B.
(From a lithograph by liidleij and Holl, after the portrait by Bowyer.)
for the selection, and why, while Gardner, whose flagship, the
Queen, was not in action, was included, Colpoys, whose flagship,
the London, was in action, was omitted. The anomaly was
probably due chiefly to the meagre and almost grudging terms of
Bridport's dispatch, wherein, for example, the Queen Charlotte,
which had distinguished herself above all other ships that day,
1 Some, however, went elsewhere.
2(56 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
was passed over unmentioned. That the action was a victory
was true, but it left much to be desired. We may be pretty
sure that had a Nelson, a Hawke, or even a Boscawen, com-
manded on the occasion, the fleet of Villaret would have been
annihilated.
But, though the victory was thus unsatisfactory, it eventually
cleared the way for the expedition to Quiberon. Consisting of the
ships mentioned below,1 and of many small craft and fifty sail of trans-
ports, having on board about 2500 French emigrants, commanded by
the Comte de Puisaye, it entered the Bay of Quiberon on June 25th.
On June 27th the troops were landed without loss, and drove back
the few Republicans who opposed them. A vast quantity of arms
for the disaffected population was also put ashore. Fort Penthievre,
on the northern extremity of the peninsula of Quiberon, soon fell ;
but on July 16th an attack, shared in by 200 British Marines, upon
the French Republican army, under General Hoche, was repulsed ;
and the Royalists owed their safe retreat to the covering fire of
some British small craft.2 This misfortune led to desertion and
encouraged treachery ; and on the 20th the fort was surreptitiously
handed over to the Republicans, and a terrible massacre ensued.
Only about 1100 of the troops, and about 2400 inhabitants of the
district, escaped to the fleet, leaving behind them about 10,000
stand of arms, and an enormous quantity of stores. Six newly-
arrived transports also fell into the hands of the enemy. Warren
took possession of the islands of Hoat and Hoe'dic, and disembarked
near Lorient, at their own request, 2000 of the people who had been
brought from Quiberon. He also, but in vain, summoned Belle
Isle. An attempt upon the Isle of Noirmoutier, at the mouth of
i Ships
Guns. Commanders.
Robust
. . . . 74
Capt. Edward Thornbrough.
„ Albemarle Bertie.
„ Joseph Ellison.
Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren.
Capt. Philip Calderwood Durham.
„ Sir Edward Nagle, Kt.
„ Mark Robinson (2).
„ Anthony Hunt (2).
„ Richard Goodwin Keats.
ters, gunboats, etc.
Thunderer.
StandaTd .
.... 74
. . . . 64
Pomona .
Anson
Artois
Areihusa ,
. . . . 44
. . . .44
. . . . i 38
. . . . ' 38
. . . . 36
Oalatea
. . . . ! 32
with several cul
2 The Pelter and
Lark.
1795.] LOSS OF THE BERWICK. 267
the Loire, was unsuccessful ; but later, the little Isle of Yeu was
occupied.
In October, Warren was reinforced by the Jason, 32,1 Captain
Charles Stirling, with transports containing 4000 British troops
under Major-General Doyle. Troops and stores were landed on
Yeu, but the Royalist cause looked so black that, towards the end
of the year, Yeu was evacuated, and the troops and stores were sent
back to England.2
Lord Bridport cruised to protect the ill-fated expedition until
September 20th, when he went to Spithead with some of his ships,
leaving Rear-Admiral Henry Harvey to watch the French at Brest
and Lorient. On the 17th and 18th of November, the British
Channel experienced a most terrible westerly gale. Rear- Admiral
Hugh Cloberry Christian, who had sailed for the West Indies with
transports, troops, and a convoy, had to return in confusion to
Spithead, having lost several merchantmen ; and when he sailed
again on December 5th, it was only to encounter another storm,
which lasted for over a fortnight.
The events in the Mediterranean must now be described. Vice-
Admiral Hotham, who was still in command there, loosely watched
Toulon during the winter, using as his chief base the Bay of San
Fiorenzo. While he was anchored there on January 16th, in a
heavy cross swell, the Berwick, 74, Captain William Smith (2),
which was refitting, rolled all three of her masts out of her. This
led to a court-martial, and to the dismissal from their ship of the
Captain, first Lieutenant and Master. Captain Adam Littlejohn
was appointed in Captain Smith's place ; and, directing him to
follow the fleet as soon as the ship could be rigged with jury
masts, Hotham sailed for Leghorn Road. It would have been, as
the sequel will show, more prudent on his part to tow the disabled
ship, supposing it to have been necessary for him to leave port
immediately.
The observation of Toulon during Hotham's period of command
was never very close or effective. Just previous to the accident,
Commodore Perree had safely returned thither, after a most success-
ful cruise in the Mediterranean, with a squadron of six frigates.
1 On board her was the Comte d'Artois.
2 There is a very curious account of these Quiberon operations by Moreau de
Jonnes in his ' Avent. de Guerre.' See also, ' Vie et Corr. de Hoche ' ; ' llelat. du Baron
Aritrechaus ' ; ' Mems. de Puisaye ' ; ' Mems. de Vaublanc ' ; ' M(5ms. sur la Guerre
Civile' (1823).
268 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
The impunity which had attended his sally, and the removal of the
British fleet from San Fiorenzo to Leghorn, encouraged the French
to issue forth in greater strength, and to attempt the recovery of
Corsica. The latter scheme was a mad one, in view of the " potential "
fleet which still lay, comparatively speaking, close at hand. The
proper way to recover Corsica would have been to begin by de-
feating Hotham. But the attempt was fatal to the Berwick. On
March 3rd, Bear-Admiral Martin, with fifteen sail of the line and
six frigates, carrying about 5000 troops, put to sea, and on the 7th
sighted Cape Corse. As the advanced French frigates were about
to look into San Fiorenzo Bay, they sighted the jury-rigged Berwick
coming out. She was chased and engaged by the Alceste, 36, 1
SIGNATURE OF SIE WILLIAM HOTHAM (1), AFTERWARDS LORD HOTHAM, AS
VICE-ADMIRAL.
Minerve, 38, and Vestale, 36, and, possibly,2 by one or two ships of
the line as well ; and in less than an hour, after losing Captain
Littlejohn, the only person on board who was killed, she was
surrendered by Lieutenant Nesbit Palmer. Her jury-rig may be
held to have excused her easy capture. Upon her officers being
exchanged and tried by court-martial, they were honourably
acquitted.
On March 8th, Hotham, who still lay at Leghorn, learnt that
the French had been seen two days earlier off Isle Ste. Marguerite.
He despatched the Tarleton, brig, to San Fiorenzo, with orders
for the Berwick to join him off Cape Corse ; and, on the 9th, he
1 Lieut. Lejoille, commanding this frigate, was made a post-captain for his share in
the affair. — Biog. by Hennequin.
2 That any ships of the line were concerned is strenuously denied by all French
historians.
1795.]
HOTHAJC8 ACTION OFF GENOA.
269
weighed with the fleet, a list of which is given in the note.1 After
receiving certain intelligence from the Moselle, and apparently also
from some other source, he altered course during the night from
S.W. to N.W., and, on the 10th, his look-out vessels sighted the
French standing towards Cape Noli, or, in other words, back
towards Toulon against a S.W. wind. They had, no doubt, learnt
from the Berwick's people that they were close to the British. On
the afternoon of the llth, the enemy's fleet of fifteen sail of the line,
six frigates and two brigs, was seen in the south by some British
ships of the line, which were five or six miles to windward of their
main body. At dawn on the 12th they were again seen ; and soon
afterwards they bore up as if to reconnoitre. When she was within
about three miles of the Princess Boyal, the French van ship hauled
to the wind on the larboard tack, and was followed in succession by
the vessels astern. The wind was then very light, and there was
a nasty swell from the west ; but, towards evening, a fresh breeze
sprang up from the S.W., and the British closed and formed in
order of battle heading to the westward. During the night the
1 Ships.
Gnns.
Commanders.
f Captain
Bedford
74
74
Capt. Samuel Reeve.
„ Davidge Gould.
>
Tancredi (Neap.) .
Princess Boyal ....
, Agamemnon
Minerva (Neap.), 32
Pilade (Neap.) .
Lowestoft, 32 .
Pouletle, 26 . .
Tarleton, brig,1 14
74
98
64
74
„ Chev. Caraccioli.
(Vice- Admiral Samuel Granston Goodall (W).
(Capt. John Child Purvis.
„ Horatio Nelson.
„ Benjamin Hallowell (actg.).
Com. Ralph Willett Miller.
„ Charles Brisbane.
Capt. Thomas Lenox Frederick
74
„ Augustus Montgomery.
o5
100
rVice-Admiral William Hotham (1) (R),
J'
Egmont
74
\Capt. John Holloway.
„ John Sutton.
Windsor Castle
Inconstant, 36.
Me'eager, 32 ...
[Diadem
98
64
1 Rear- Admiral Robert Linzee (R).
\Capt. John Gore (1).
„ Thomas Francis Fremantle.
„ George Cockburn.
„ Charles Tyler.
98
(Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (2), Kr, (B).
i£
Terrible
74
\Capt. Thomas Foley.
„ George Campbell.
Fortitude
74
„ William Youn°- (1).
Romulus, 36 ...
Moselle, 18 ...
Fox, cutter
„ George Hope (1).
Com. Charles Dudley Pater.
Lieut. John Gibson.
Detached, but rejoined on night of March 9th.
270 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
weather became squally, and the Mercure, 74, losing her main top-
mast, was allowed by Rear-Admiral Martin to part company and
to proceed, attended by a frigate. She and her escort ultimately
anchored in Gourjean Bay, where the Berwick also lay with a
frigate in attendance.
On the 13th, soon after daylight, as the French showed no signs
of any intention to engage, Hotham signalled for a general chase,
and, the wind being fresh and squally, good progress was at once
made. At 8 A.M. the Qa Ira, 80, the third ship from the French
rear, fouled her second ahead, the Victoire, 80,1 and carried away
her own fore and main topmasts. This misfortune was at once
taken advantage of by the Inconstant, 36, Captain Thomas Francis
Frernantle, which had advanced far ahead. At about 9 A.M. she
ranged close up on the port quarter of the fa Ira, gave her a
broadside, and stood on. The Vestale, 36, thereupon bore down,
firing distantly at the Inconstant, and took the disabled 80 in
tow ; but the Inconstant, having tacked, again passed under the
Qa Ira's lee, and repeated the broadside. In the meantime the
Qa Ira had cleared away the wreck of her topmasts, and, opening
fire, so punished the gallant Inconstant as to oblige her to bear up.
At 10.45 the Agamemnon placed herself upon the Qa Ira's
quarter, and, aided for a time by the Captain, annoyed the French
80 till about 2.15 P.M., when, several French ships bearing down to
protect their consort, Captain Nelson dropped into his station in the
line. During this time there had also been a partial action between
the Bedford and Egmont and the three French rear ships; but all
firing ceased when the Agamemnon bore up. The French then put
about on the port tack, and kept close to the wind under all sail, the
wind being moderate from the S.S.E. The British fleet followed
on a port line of bearing with all possible despatch. In the course
of the night, by accident or mismanagement, the Sans Culotte, 120,
separated from her consorts, so that the French were left with
thirteen two-deckers against the British four three- and eleven two-
deckers. During the night, also, the Censeur, 74, instead of the
Vestale, 36, took the (Ja Ira in tow, and, with her, fell astern and to
leeward of the French line.
At sunrise on the 14th, Genoa bore N.E., distant about twenty
miles. The French were seen to windward, standing as before on
the port tack with a moderate south wind. At 5.30 A.M., the breeze
1 Ex-Lanyuedoc.
1795.] HOTHAM'S ACTION OFF GENOA. 271
changed to the N.W., thus bringing the British fleet to windward.
At 6.30 the Captain and Bedford, by signal, stood for, and engaged,
the Censeur and Qa Ira. The Captain, being well ahead of her
consort, had to sustain alone the broadsides of both French ships for
fifteen minutes, ere she could make effectual return ; and, when she
had been engaged for an hour and a half, she was very badly
injured aloft, and had received serious damage to her hull and boats
as well. Captain Eeeve, therefore, signalled for assistance, and was
presently towed clear. The Bedford, also, was eventually obliged
to discontinue the engagement, and to be towed out of the line.
But, in the interval, the Illustrious and Courageux had made sail to
support the Captain and Bedford, and had got well ahead, and
somewhat to leeward, of the British line. To cover the (}a Ira and
Censeur from these, Rear-Admiral Martin ordered his fleet to wear
in succession and to form line upon his van ship, the Duquesne, 74.
His design was to pass on the starboard tack to leeward of the
British line, which was then on the port tack, and to windward of
his threatened ships. The Duquesne, in the light wind, came round
slowly : in fact, just then, nearly every ship in both fleets was more
or less out of control, owing to the lack of breeze ; and in the
consequent confusion the Lowestoft's stern was exposed to a distant
fire from the Duquesne's port batteries. But Captain Hallowell
saved his people by ordering all, except the officers and the man at
the wheel, to go below ; and he suffered only a little aloft ere the
attention of the French 74 was taken off by the Neapolitan frigate
Minerva. When, at length, the Duquesne got round on the star-
board tack, she failed to obey the signal and, instead of leading her
line to leeward of the British van, led it to windward of it.
At 8 A.M., the Illustrious began, at a distance of a little more
than a quarter of a mile, to engage in succession the Duquesne and
the Victoire. She and the Courageux subsequently kept up a hot
fire with these ships and with the Tonnant. At 9 A.M. the Illus-
trious lost her fore-topmast, and, at 9.15, her main mast, which also
brought down her mizen. Her other spars were by that time
badly wounded, and her hull was mauled in every direction ; and
the Courageux, which had lost her main and mizen masts, was in
little better condition. Owing to the calm, the remainder of the
French line could not get up to them, nor, on the other hand, could
assistance reach them. But, happily, the three French ships at
length drifted ahead, and so relieved them from a situation which
272 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
was at one time extremely perilous. After very little more firing,
the French abandoned the crippled Ca Ira and Censeur, and, as the
breeze freshened, stood away under all sail to the westward. The
action, which had begun at 6.20 A.M., entirely ceased at about 2 P.M.,
when Hotham, influenced by the condition of his van ships, thought
it desirable not to tack in pursuit. The two fleets in consequence
soon lost sight of one another. The Ca Ira l and Censeur, which
had made a most gallant defence, and had lost together about 400
killed and wounded, had, in the meantime, been taken possession of.
The loss in the other French ships is not known.2
The allied loss in personnel was as follows : Captain, 3 killed,
19 wounded ; Bedford, 7 killed, 18 wounded ; Tancredi, 1 killed,
5 wounded ; Princess Royal, 3 killed, 8 wounded ; Agamemnon,
0 killed, 13 wounded ; Illustrious, 20 killed, 70 wounded ; Courageux,
15 killed, 33 wounded ; Britannia, 1 killed, 18 wounded ; Egmont,
1 killed, 21 wounded ; Windsor Castle, 6 killed, 31 wounded ;
Diadem, 3 killed, 7 wounded ; St. George, 4 killed, 13 wounded ;
Terrible, 0 killed, 6 wounded ; Fortitude, 1 killed, 4 wounded ; In-
constant, 3 killed, 14 wounded ; and Minerva, 0 killed, 4 wounded ;
total, 74 killed, and 284 wounded. No commissioned officers were
killed, but among the wounded were Lieutenants Wilson Eathbone,
of the Captain, Thomas Miles, of the Bedford, Thomas Hawker,
of the Windsor Castle, and Eobert Honeyman, of the St. George.
James estimates that, on March 14th, the relative strength of the
two fleets, as regards ships of the line, was, British, 14 sail ;
557 guns, throwing broadsides weighing 12,711 Ibs. ; and 8810 men ;
and French, 13 sail ; 490 guns, throwing broadsides weighing
12,307 Ibs. ; and 9520 men. On the earlier days, of course, the
French had a slight superiority in every respect.
Again, as in the case of the action off Isle Groix, it was an
unsatisfactory victory. Hotham took two ships of the line, but
gained little credit, seeing that he might have, and should have,
done much more.
1 It is stated in French accounts that Capt. Coude, of the fa Ira, surrendered his
sword to Vice- Admiral Goodall, and that the latter said: "Sir, I will keep this
glorious sword for myself, but I beg you to accept mine in recognition of your noble
courage."
2 French authorities for this action : ' Precis des Evenements,' etc., by Kerguelen ;
Keports of Marec, in the Moniteur ; Letter of Capt. Coude (of the fa Ira) ; and papers
of Martin, Coude, Savary, etc., in the Arch, de la Marine. The published account of
the Republican deputy, Le Tourneur, who was present, is recognised, even by the French,
to be mendacious.
1795J MSB OF THE ILLUSTRIOUS. 273
Taking in tow his dismasted ships and the prizes, he bore away
for Spezzia Bay. On the night of the 17th, in a S.E. gale the
Meleager, with the Illustrious in tow, separated from the fleet ; and
when the hawser parted and a new one could not be passed from the'
Frigate, the Illustrious hove to, labouring heavily, shipping much
water, and losing her jury masts by the board. At dawn on the
Ith, as land was seen ahead, both ships headed to the eastward
At noon the Meleager parted company. At 2 P.M., after having
experienced various additional trials, Captain Frederick, upon making
the land eastward of the Gulf of Spezzia, delivered up charge of his
ship to a self-professed pilot; but the man, at 7.30 P.M., managed
run the vessel ashore in Valence Bay, between Spezzia Tnd
Leghorn; and the ship became a wreck. The arrival of the
Tarleton, on the evening of the 19th, of the Lotoeatoft, on the
evening of the 20th, and, eventually, of other craft from the fleet
enabled the men and part of the stores to be taken off; but the
Ittustnous had to be set on fire and destroyed. On the 25th, after
he damaged stnps had been partially repaired, the fleet weighed
rom Spezzia Bay, and on the 26th anchored off San Korenzo
where it lay refitting until April 18th, when Hotham, by that time
promoted to be Admiral of the Blue, left his prizes behind, and
proceeded to Leghorn, where he anchored on the 27th
has already been noted that, on April 4th, Eear-Admiral
Eenaudm, with S1X sail of the line, three frigates and two or three
corvettes safely reached Toulon from Brest, and gave Martin who
on March 2nd had been made a Vice-Admiral, seventeen serviced
sail of the line. Martin, after having lain for a time in Hyeres Bay
moved mto the Eoad of Toulon, where he had much trouble with
crews of some of the Toulon ships, who became mutinous, until
thanks to the influence of the Eepublican deputy, Niou, who worked
upon their patriotism, the men, repentant, pledged themselves "to
purge their offence in the blood of the enemies of the state " Hoping
to profit by the sentiments thus aroused, Martin put to sea on
June 7th with his seventeen sail of the line, six frigates, and two or
three smaller craft.
On May 8th, anticipating, perhaps, for the moment that the
rench Toulon fleet might have some idea of proceeding to the
Atlantic, Hotham sailed from Leghorn to cruise off Cape Mola
3.W. point of Minorca ; and he was there joined on June 14th
by nine sail of the line from Gibraltar and England, under Eeai-
VOL. IV.
T '
274
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1795.
Admiral Kobert Man (3). These ships were the Victory, Barfleur,
Gibraltar, Bombay Castle, Saturn, Cumberland, Defence, Culloden
and Audacious. Hotham cruised till the 24th, when he bore up for
the eastward, and on the 29th anchored in San Fiorenzo Bay. On
July 4th, he detached Commodore Nelson in the Agamemnon, 64,
with the Meleager, Ariadne, Moselle and Mutine, to proceed to
Genoa, and then to cruise along the coast to the westward ; and, on
the 7th, being off Cape del Melle, Nelson discovered the Toulon
fleet about fifteen miles to the N.W. In the evening, the French
chased him, and in the night they nearly came up with the Moselle.
At 7.20 A.M., on the 8th, Nelson, being off Cape Corse, began to fire
guns as signals to the fleet at San Fiorenzo ; and, by 9.30 A.M., the
French could see the British fleet of twenty-two sail of the line at
anchor in the bay. They therefore relinquished the chase.
The fleet was, however, neither fit nor able to sail at once.
Many ships were refitting or watering, and the wind blew right into
the bay ; but at 9 P.M. Hotham's fleet succeeded in getting under
way, and in taking advantage of the land wind. The fleet, when
rejoined by Nelson's squadron, was composed of the ships named in
the note.1
On the 9th, having cleared the land, Hotham steered to the west
under all sail, with a S.S.W. wind. On the 12th, being off Isle
du Levant, he learnt that the French had been seen a few hours
earlier to the south of Hyeres, and consequently he prepared for
action, and made sail to the S.W. In the night a heavy gale from
the W.N.W. split the main-topsails of several British ships, and on
1 Ships.
Gnns.
Commanders.
Ships.
Guns.
Commanders.
(Admiral William
Terrible ....
74
Capt. George Campbell.
Britannia . . .
100
) Hotham (B).
Defence ....
74
, Thomas Wells (I).
(Capt. John Hollow. y.
Etjmont ....
14
, John Suttou.
Victory ....
100
(Rear- Admiral Kobert
{ Man (3) (B).
(Capt. John Knight (2).
Culloden . . .
JUdford ....
74
74
1 , Thomas Trou-
l bridge.
, Pavidge Gould.
Princess Royal
98
{Vice -Admiral Samuel
Grauston Goodall (11).
Courageux .
74
/ , Benjamin Hallu-
l well.
Capt. John Child Purvis.
Audacious .
74
„ William Shield.
(Vice- Admiral Sir Hyde
Guiscardo (Neap.)
74
St. George . . .
93
•J Parker (2), Kt. (R).
(Capt. Thomas Koley.
Samnita (Neap.) .
Agamemnon
74
64
Commod. Horatio "Nelson.
Windsor Castle
Hlenheim . . .
98
90
j Vice -Admiral Kobert
< Linzee (W).
(Capt. John Gored).
„ John Bazely(ll.
Diadem ....
Meleager
Cyclops ....
64
32
28
Capt. Charles Tyler.
,, George Cockbnrn.
/ „ William Hotham
I (2).
Gibraltar . . .
80
f „ John Pakenliam
I (1).
Ariadne . .
Comet ....
24
14
Capt. Robert P]ampin.
Captain ....
74
,, Samuel Reeve.
Eclair ....
20
fortitude . . .
Bombay Cattle . .
74
74
„ William Young (1).
t „ Charles Cljainbcr-
l layne.
Fttche ....
Resolution, cutter
Moselle
20
18
Com. Thomas Boys(l).
Com. Charles Brisbane.
Saturn ....
74
„ James Douglas;2).
JUntine
12
Cumberland
74
' „ Bartholomew
[ Samuel Rowley.
I
1795.]
HOTHAWS ACTION OFF HYERES.
275
the 13th, at dawn, when the wind was still fresh and there was a
heavy swell, and while these ships were bending new sails, the
French were seen about five miles off on the lee beam, standing in
very scattered order on the starboard tack. The British were then
standing on the port tack to the southward. At 3.45 A.M. Hotham
signalled his fleet to form on a starboard, and, an hour later,- on a
larboard line of bearing, and preserving that order, to make all
possible sail. The professed object of this was to keep the wind and
to cut off the enemy from the shore.
At 8 A.M. the French fleet, formed in a close line on the port
tack about two points off the wind, which was from the west, was
*J
M
E Z> I T E R
SCENE OF HOTHAM'S ACTION, JULY 13'rn, 1795.
•doing its best to get away without fighting. Hotham, therefore,
made the signal for a general chase, directing his ships to take
suitable stations for mutual support and to engage the enemy as
they came up with him. In the course of the morning the wind
moderated, and southed somewhat ; and at noon, in consequence
of the eagerness of the chase and of the unequal sailing of the ships,
although the French rear, bearing N.N.E., was only three-quarters
of a mile from the British van, the British rear ship was nearly
eight miles to the W.S.W. At 12.30 a shift of wind from S.W. by
N. to N., brought the starboard broadsides of the three rear French
ships to bear upon the British van, and especially upon the Victory,
Culloden and Cumberland, which led it. This brought on a
T 2
276 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
partial action, in which the French ship Alcide, 74, soon suffered
very severely. By 1.30 the Culloden also had her main topmast
shot away ; but she continued to use every effort to close with the
enemy. Just before 2 P.M. the Alcide struck1 to the Cumberland,
which, not stopping to take possession, passed on to the second ship
from the French rear. As she did so, the French frigate Alceste, 36,
Captain Hubert, which, with the Justice, had approached to take
the Alcide in tow, lowered a boat for the purpose. This was cut
in two by a shot from one of the British ships ; and the French
frigates, very ably handled, made off. At that time the Agamemnon,
Blenheim, Captain and Defence, were just getting into action ; but
at 2.42 P.M., when the Cumberland, having assisted in driving off
the Justice, had almost got up with another French ship of the
line near the rear of the column, a signal, to the general astonish-
ment, was made to discontinue the action. The Victory had to
repeat it, with the Cumberland's pennants, ere that ship paid any
attention.
At that moment Cape Eoux2 bore from the Victory N.W. J W.
distant twelve miles. It is true that the French, owing to a change
of wind to the east, had gained the weather gage on the starboard
tack, and were standing with a light breeze towards the bay of
Frejus, while the British centre and rear were almost becalmed ;
but it turned out that, as the breeze again shifted at about 7 P.M.
to the south-west, Vice-Admiral Martin's progress to his anchorage
was very slow. "Had the British fleet," says an officer,3 who was
present in the Victory, " only put their heads the same way as the
enemy's and stood inshore at four o'clock, the whole of the French
line might have been cut off from the land, taken, or destroyed ; and,
even afterwards, they might have been followed into Frejus Bay,
and wholly destroyed/'
Of the few British ships engaged in what James calls " this
miserable action," the Culloden alone lost a mast. The Victory and
Cumberland, however, suffered considerably aloft. The losses in
personnel were, Culloden, 2 killed, 5 wounded ; Victory, 5 killed,
15 wounded ; Blenheim, 2 killed, 2 wounded ; Captain, 1 killed ;
and Defence, 1 killed, 6 wounded : total, 11 killed and 28 wounded.
The Cumberland, strange to say, had no one hurt. No com-
missioned officers were killed. Among those wounded were Lieu-
1 This is not admitted by the French. 2 The French call the action by this name.
3 Admiral Sir Edward Hamilton, Bart.
1795.] DE HIGHER Y ESCAPES FROM TOULON. 277
tenants Tristram Whitter, of the Cidloden, and John Hinton, of the
Victory. Soon after having struck, the Alcide caught fire in the
foretop. The conflagration could not be stayed, and, spreading till
about 3.45 P.M., then caused an explosion, which blew up the vessel
with more than half her crew.
The French fleet returned to Toulon. The British went, first
to San Fiorenzo, and then to Leghorn. Hotham sailed again on
August 6th, and on the 8th looked into Toulon Eoad, where he saw
the French fleet. He then, detached Commodore Nelson, in the
Agamemnon, with the Inconstant, Meleager, Tartar, Southampton,
Ariadne, and Speedy, to co-operate with the Austrian and Sardinian
armies in Genoese territory, and himself stood to the eastward.
On August 26th, Nelson's squadron, under Nelson's personal
direction, cut out of the bays of Alassio and Langueglia, near Vado,
two French gun brigs, two five-gun galleys, and five vessels laden
with stores, and destroyed two other vessels, without losing a man.
The French Government was at that time anxious to make some
kind of demonstration in the neighbourhood of Newfoundland, but
was unwilling to detach from the Brest fleet any force for such a
purpose. On the contrary, it was anxious rather to strengthen that
fleet. It therefore directed Bear-Admiral Joseph de Eichery,1 with
the Victoire, 80, Barras, 74, Jupiter, 74, Berwick, 74, Resolution, 74,
Duquesne, 74, and the frigates Embuscade, Felicite, and Friponne,
to seize an opportunity to slip out of Toulon, and then proceed to
Newfoundland, finally returning to Brest. De Eichery, therefore,
put to sea on September 14th.
News of the evasion did not reach Hotham at San Fiorenzo
until September 22nd ; and not until October 5th was Eear-Admiral
Eobert Man (3), with the Windsor Castle, 98, Cumberland, 74,
Defence, 74, Terrible, 74, Audacious, 74, and Saturn, 74, and the
frigates Blonde and Castor, detached in pursuit. The French had
thus a start of three weeks, and, as will be seen later, Man naturally
failed to be of any service. Indeed, the method in which he carried
out his mission led later to the imperilling of the whole British fleet
in the Mediterranean. The laxity displayed by Hotham on that
occasion, both in regard to the observation of the French movements
at Toulon, and with regard to the pursuit of the escaped force, offers
additional proof of that officer's unfitness for the very important com-
1 Born at Aliens, Provence. He had been expelled from the Navy during the Terror,
but afterwards reinstated.
278 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
mand with which he had been entrusted. Moreover, de Richery's
escape led to immediate bad results, even in European waters.
Hotham had detached for England in the early autumn the
Fortitude, 74, Captain Thomas Taylor (2), Bedford, 74, Captain
Augustus Montgomery, and the French prize 74, Censeur, which
was jury-rigged and armed en flute, and which was commanded by
Captain John Gore (1). This squadron left Gibraltar for the
Channel on September 25th, reinforced by the Argo, 44, Captain
Richard Rundle Surges, Juno, 32, Captain Lord Amelius Beauclerk,
Lutine, 32, Commander William Haggitt (acting), and Tisiphone,
fireship, Commander Joseph Turner, with a valuable convoy of
sixty-three sail from the Levant. That same night the Argo, Juno,
and thirty-two of the convoy parted company, the remainder keeping
with the senior officer until October 7th, when, being off Cape
St. Vincent, they fell in with de Richery's squadron. Signal was
at once made for the convoy to disperse, and the Fortitude, Censeur,
and Bedford formed line so as to show as good a face as possible to
the enemy. But hardly had the line been formed, ere the Censeur
rolled away her foremast, and was forced to drop astern ; and as the
French were rapidly approaching, Captain Taylor deemed it proper
to bear up. This was soon after 1 P.M. At 1.50 the leading
French ship opened fire on the Censeur, which made a spirited
return to the best of her ability, and was assisted by the after guns
of the Fortitude and Bedford. In the meantime the French
frigates were picking up the merchantmen. At 2.30 the Censeur,
having expended nearly all her powder, and having lost her two
remaining masts, struck. The other British men-of-war escaped ;
but, of the convoy, thirty out of thirty-one sail were taken. The
thirty-two merchantmen with the Argo and Juno safely reached
their destination. De Richery, with his prizes, put into Cadiz,
where he may be left for the present.
This squadron of de Richery's was not the only one which, in
the autumn of 1795, escaped from Toulon, owing, to some extent,
to the bad management or incompetence of Hotham. Towards
the end of September, Commodore Honore Ganteaume, with the
Mont Blanc, 74, Junon, 40, Justice, 40, Artemise, 36, Serieuse, 36,
Badine, 28, and Hasard, 16, left Toulon expressly to intercept the
convoy, part of which subsequently fell into the hands of de Richery.
That convoy was supposed by the French to be then to the eastward
of Malta ; and Ganteaume steered for the Levant, where he not
1795.] JERVIS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN. 279
only made many prizes but also raised the blockade of Smyrna, in
which port two French frigates and a corvette had been shut up
by the Aigle, 38, Captain Samuel Hood (2), and the Cyclops, 28,
Captain William Hotham (2). Ganteaume cruised in the Archi-
pelago until the Justice was dismasted in a storm. He then made
for the Dardanelles, but, learning that two British ships of the line
and three or four frigates were in search of him, and conscious that,
as the French had not respected the neutrality of the Turkish ports,
the British would attack him no matter where he might anchor, he
left the Justice, and made for the westward. On December 27th,
the British squadron under Captain Thomas Troubridge, consisting
of the Culloden, 74, Diadem, 64, Inconstant, 36, Flora, 36, and
Lowestoft, 32, being off Cape Matapan, chased the Badine, which
had been detached by Ganteaume expressly to mislead his enemy.
The Badine could not rejoin, and took refuge in the Gulf of
Coron ; but Ganteaume, escaping pursuit, re-entered Toulon on
February 5th, 1796.
On November 1st, 1795, Hotham struck his flag, and was
temporarily succeeded by Vice- Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (2). On
November llth the fleet left Leghorn, and, on the 20th, put into
San Fiorenzo Bay. On the 30th, there arrived from Portsmouth
the Lively, 32, Captain Lord Garlics, having on board Admiral Sir
John Jervis, who had been appointed Commander-in-Chief. On
December 3rd, Jervis shifted his flag from the Lively to the Victory,
and, on the 13th, he sailed with the fleet to cruise off Toulon.
Since the commencement of hostilities in 1793, the political
situation had altered considerably to the disadvantage of Great
Britain. France had conquered Holland,1 and had ranged that
country on her side. In consequence of this, orders were issued
early in 1795 for the seizure of all Dutch vessels in British ports.
On February 9th, further orders were issued for the detention of
neutrals bound for Dutch ports ; measures were taken to attack the
Dutch settlements over sea ; and a small squadron, under Vice-
Admiral Adam Duncan, in the Venerable, 74, was sent to watch the
Dutch ships in the Texel. In August, Duncan was joined on his
station by an ill-found fleet of twelve Kussian 2 ships of the line, and
1 It was in the course of this campaign that, on January 20th, 1795, some Frencli
hussars and horse artillery captured a Dutch squadron, which was ice-bound at the time.
* In this fleet there were several officers of British nationality or birth, including
Rear-Admiral Tate, and Captains Frederick Thesiger and Brown.
280 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
seven frigates ; but, during the autumn and winter, the combined
fleets saw nothing of the enemy, and had nothing before it save the
honourable, yet far from exciting, work of observation and blockade
in the North Sea. Letters of marque and reprisals were issued
against Holland on September 15th. In the interim, Great Britain
had also lost the countenance of Prussia, which had made her peace
with France on April 30th.
The French no sooner learnt of the success of Victor Hugues at
Guadeloupe, than they sent to him from Brest a number of trans-
ports, with supplies, and about three thousand troops, convoyed by
the Hercule, 50, Astree, 36, two corvettes, and some armed ships.
This convoy was fallen in with off Desirade on January 5th, 1795,
by the Bellona, 74, Captain George Wilson, and Alarm, 32, Captain
Charles Carpenter ; but, owing apparently to mismanagement on the
part of Wilson, only one French vessel, the Duras, 20, was taken.
The rest of the convoy reached Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe, on
January Gth. The reinforcement thus brought to him enabled
Hugues to prosecute his designs against St. Lucia, St. Vincent,
Grenada, and Dominica. At St. Lucia he was quickly successful,
that island being evacuated on June 19th by the British troops,
which were taken off by the Experiment, armed storeship, Lieutenant
John Barrett,1 and a transport. At Dominica he was unsuccessful.
In Grenada and St. Vincent his schemes were still in progress at the
end of the year. In these operations, the British naval officers who,
in addition to Lieutenant Barrett, most conspicuously distinguished
themselves, were Captains Josias Rogers, of the Quebec, Charles
Sawyer, of the Blanche, and Frederick Watkins, of the Resource.
The hostility of Holland led to the despatch from England of an
expedition against the Dutch colony at the Cape of Good Hope.
This expedition consisted of the ships mentioned in the note," under
1 Drowned, Captain of the Minotaur, in 1810.
__
- Slilps. Guns. Commanders.
(Vice-Admiral Sir George Keith Elphin-
Monarch 7i stone, K.U. (B).
(Capt. John Elphinstone (2).
Victorious 74 „ William Clark.
Arrogant .... .74 „ Richard Lucas.
America
Stately .
Echo
llattlesnake
04 „ John Blankett.
C4 „ Billy Douglas.
Hi Com. Temple Hardy.
1(J „ John William Spranger.
1795.] CAPTURE OF THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE. 281
Vice-Admiral Sir George Keith Elphinstone, KB., with a detach-
ment of the 78th Regiment, under Major-General Craig. The
squadron anchored in Simon's Bay early in July, and proposals
were made to the Dutch governor to place the colony under British
protection. The governor refused, and was making preparations to
burn Simon's Town, when, on July 14th, the 78th Eegiment and
350 marines landed and seized it. The Dutch withdrew to Muijzen-
burg, six miles from Cape Town. Elphinstone reinforced the army
ashore by landing 1000 seamen under Commanders Hardy and
Spranger, by improvising a gunboat, and by arming the launches of
the squadron. On August 7th, when the troops began their
advance, the America, Stately, Echo, and Rattlesnake, also co-
operated, the result being that the Dutch were easily driven from
post to post with very slight loss to the British. On the 8th, the
enemy attempted to regain some of his lost positions, but was again
compelled to retire, largely in consequence of the admirable be-
haviour of Commander Hardy's battalion of seamen and Marines.
Elphinstone detained such Dutch vessels as he found, and subse-
quently commissioned one of them, the Willemstadt, as the Prin-
cess, 20. On September 3rd, the Dutch were about to make a
general attack on the British positions, when they were deterred by
the sudden appearance in the offing of fourteen sail of British East
Indiamen, which brought a large reinforcement of stores and troops
under General Alured Clarke. These were all disembarked by the
14th, and an advance on Cape Town was begun, while the America,
Echo, Rattlesnake, and an Indiaman, made a demonstration in Table
Bay. This induced the Dutch governor, on the following night, to
sond a flag of truce, with a request for a cessation of hostilities,
pending negotiations of a capitulation, the result being that, on the
morning of the 10th, the town and colony, together with about 1000
regular troops, the East Indiamen, Castor, and the armed brig
Star, 14, were surrendered. The Star was added to the British
Navy as the Hope.
The British Commander-in-Chief in the East Indies was Com-
modore Peter Rainier, who, it may be remembered, had taken a
convoy thither in the early summer of 1794, with his broad pennant
in the Suffolk, 74. Rainier, in June, 1795, obtained his flag. On
July 21st, in pursuance of orders, he sailed from Madras in the
Suffolk, Captain Robert Lambert, with the Centurion, 50, Captain
Samuel Osborn, and some transports with troops under Colonel
282 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
James Stuart, to make an attempt against the Dutch possessions in
Ceylon. At the same time he detached the Resistance, 44, Captain
Edward Pakenham, with a tender and a transport, to reinforce a
little expedition which, under Captain Henry Newconie, of the
Orpheus, 32, had previously sailed against Malacca.
On July 23rd, off Negapatarn, Kainier was joined by the
Diomede, 44, Captain Matthew Smith (1), and one or two more
transports, with additional troops, and on August 1st, after having
been joined on the previous day by the Heroine, 32, Captain Alan
Hyde Gardner, he anchored in Back Bay. Two days were expended
in negotiations, and on the third day, while the Diomede was
working into the bay with a transport in tow, she unfortunately
struck on an uncharted rock, and went down with all her stores.
But the troops were landed on August 3rd, four miles from Trin-
comale, without opposition. By the 23rd, it was found possible to
open the British batteries, and by the 26th, a practicable breach was
effected. A summons was then sent in, and, after some discussion
and misunderstanding, the place surrendered, with 679 officers and
men, and nearly 100 serviceable guns. This conquest cost a loss to
the British and East India Company's troops of 15 killed and 54
wounded, and to the Navy of 1 killed and 6 wounded. On the 31st,
the fort of Oostenburg also surrendered, and, on September 18th,
Baticalo followed suit. Jaffnapatam, near Point Pedro, was quietly
taken possession of on September 28th by a subsidiary expedition
under Captain Samuel Osborn, of the Centurion, and Colonel Stuart.
Muletivu was similarly occupied on October 1st by Lieutenant
Benjamin William Page, commanding the Hobart, 18, and by a
detachment of the 52nd Regiment under Captain the Hon. Charles
Monson ; and the island of Manar surrendered on October 5th to a
detachment from Jaffnapatam. The expedition to Malacca was not
less successful. Malacca itself capitulated on August 17th to
Captain Henry Newcome and Major Brown, and, before the end of
the year, Cochin, and all the other Dutch settlements on the Indian
mainland, were under the British flag.
Until quite the end of the year 1796 the Brest fleet did not quit
port; but, during the whole summer and autumn, it was known to
be preparing assiduously for some great stroke. According to one
view, Ireland was to be attacked ; according to a second, Gibraltar ;
and according to a third, Portugal ; and, as the French carefully and
successfully kept their intentions secret, the British Admiralty had
1796.] DIFFICULT POSITION OF JEBV1S. 283
to be ready for any development. In consequence of this necessity,
it divided the Channel fleet into three divisions. One, under Eear-
Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis, in the Formidable, 98, cruised to the
westward ; another, under Vice-Admiral Charles Thompson, in the
London, 98, was stationed off Brest ; and another, under Lord
Bridport, Commander-in-Chief, in the Royal George, 100, remained
at Spithead. On October 29th, Vice-Admiral Sir John Colpoys
relieved Vice-Admiral Thompson off Brest, and, for a short time
after November 7th, Curtis, with seven sail of the line, joined
Colpoys, who had twelve. But Curtis anchored at St. Helen's on
November 17th. The proceedings of the Brest fleet, after it had
put to sea, belong rather to the events of 1797 than to those of
1796.
It has already been said that Vice-Admiral Adam Duncan's
squadron blockaded or watched the Dutch force in the Texel. On
February 23rd, during the temporary absence of the blockading
squadron, a Dutch division of two 64's, one 54, one 44, and several
frigates and sloops, escaped to sea, but was observed by the
Espiegle, 16, Commander Benjamin Eoberts, and a cutter, which
had been sent by Duncan to reconnoitre the port. The Dutch
headed to the northward, with a fresh N.E. wind, and were followed
for some hours by the Espiegle, while the cutter went home with
the news. On the 24th, when the enemy was 120 miles north-east
of Yarmouth, Commander Eoberts left him. Two or three days
afterwards, the Dutch fell in with a part of Eear-Admiral Pringle's
division of Duncan's squadron, consisting of the Glatton, 54, Captain
Henry Trollope, and a few smaller vessels, but made no effort to
force an action.1 Not long afterwards, Duncan resumed his station,
and effectually shut up the Texel for the rest of the year.
Jervis, who, at the end of 1795, had succeeded Hotham as
Commander-in-Chief in the Mediterranean, had under him, at the
beginning of 1796, eighteen sail of the line, and a large number of
frigates and small craft. At Toulon were fifteen French sail of the
line, besides three building ; and at Cadiz was the division of Eear-
Admiral de Eichery. In addition to all these, there were at Carta-
gena seven Spanish sail of the line, which, owing to the condition of
politics in the peninsula, needed to be carefully watched ; and there
was a very large Spanish fleet at Cadiz. The position of Jervis
was, therefore, difficult and perplexing. It called for the exercise
1 Its object being, as will be seen, the recapture of the Cape of Good Hope.
284 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1796.
of great ability and firm determination if a catastrophe were to be
avoided, and it demanded, as it providentially found, the services
of a man of more than common qualities. Jervis, from the
first, adopted a line of policy such as had not been properly illus-
trated in the Mediterranean since the days of Dilkes and Walton,
and which had not, perhaps, been illustrated with equal thorough-
ness since the days of Blake. He realised that, above all things, he
was sent to look after British interests, and that, in comparison with
them, all other interests were perfectly subsidiary. One of his first
acts was a characteristically high-handed one. The captured British
frigate Nemesis, 28, lay, with two French vessels, in the neutral
port of Tunis. Jervis despatched Vice-Ad tniral the Hon. William
Waldegrave, in the Barfleur, 98, with four 74's, to bring out the
Nemesis at all hazards, and, on March 9th, the service was executed
with little opposition, thanks, no doubt, to the overwhelming
strength of the force employed. Jervis, indeed, never made the
mistake of failing to employ even an excessive force for the execu-
tion of an object when such a force happened to be available. Said
Nelson : " Where I would take a penknife, Lord St. Vincent takes a
hatchet."
The most active of the numerous exceptionally able officers who
served with Jervis was, of course, Nelson. On April 23rd, Jervis,
then cruising off Vado, detached Nelson, in the Agamemnon, 64,
with the Diadem, 64, Captain George Henry Towry, Meleager, 32,
Captain George Cockburn, and Petrel, 16, Commander John
Temple,1 to blockade Genoa, and to annoy the French along the
coast. Nelson learnt that a convoy laden with stores for the French
army lay at Finalmarina, in Loano Bay, and on April 25th he made
for that place. Four vessels were found anchored under the
batteries, which opened on the Petrel as she approached, leading in
the boats which were to attack ; but the fire from the ships covered
the little expedition, and, in a very short time, the British brought
off the transports, losing only three wounded, including Lieutenant
James Noble. Among the other officers who distinguished them-
selves on the occasion were Lieutenants Maurice W. Suckling,
Henry Compton, Charles Eyder, and John Culverhouse. Nelson
was subsequently joined by the Blanche, 32, Captain d'Arcy Preston,
and Speedy, 16, Commander Thomas Elphinstone. On May 31st,
cruising off Oneglia, he chased six French vessels under a battery.
1 Drowned, Captain of the Crescent, in 1808.
1796.] EVACUATION OF LEGHORN. 285
The Meleager, Agamemnon, Petrel and Speedy, anchored close
in, with only a few inches of water under them, and silenced
the battery ; and then the boats, in spite of the fire from three
18-pounders in the French ketch Genie, and one 18-pounder in a
gunboat,1 carried both. The other four vessels, which were trans-
ports, had, in the meantime, run themselves ashore, yet they were
not only taken, but also brought off, in the face of a heavy musketry
fire from the beach. The British loss was but one killed and three
wounded. The transports were full of guns and stores destined for
employment at the siege of Mantua, operations against which city,
it is believed, failed mainly in consequence of the non-arrival of
these supplies.
Another very active officer under Jervis was Captain Thomas
Francis Fremantle, of the Inconstant, 36, who, when Leghorn was
seriously threatened by the French, was employed, with some store-
ships in company, to remove thence the British residents, and public
and private property. Fremantle embarked everybody, and nearly
everything having a claim upon his care, on the morning of
June 27th, and also brought away thirty-seven merchant vessels,
large and small, and two hundred and forty oxen, which had been
purchased for the use of the fleet. At noon on the same day, the
French entered the town, and at 1 P.M. their batteries opened on
the Inconstant, which, however, got away without damage or loss.
Commodore Nelson, now transferred from the Agamemnon to the
Captain, 74, anchored off the Malora to warn unsuspecting ships of
the change in the ownership of the town, and the rest of the British
fleet on the coast rejoined Jervis, who was then in the Bay of San
Fiorenzo.
The French occupation of Leghorn was palpably a step towards
the recovery of the possession of Corsica. Leghorn then belonged
to the Grand Duke of Tuscany. There was little doubt but that the
French would also attempt to occupy Elba, another possession of
the Grand Duke, and another useful base for operations against
Corsica. With the object of frustrating anything of the kind, Sir
Gilbert Elliot, Viceroy of Corsica, and Sir John Jervis, entered into
negotiations, in pursuance of which, Commodore Nelson, on
July 10th, quietly occupied Porto Ferrajo.
At that time, Great Britain's difficulties were increasing rapidly.
On August 19th, an offensive and defensive treaty of alliance was
1 Called No. 12.
286 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1796.
signed at Madrid between France and Spain, and it was therein
stipulated that either of the parties should be entitled to call upon
the other to place at its disposal fifteen sail of the line, and ten large
frigates or corvettes. France hastened to exercise her new right,
even before the treaty was actually signed, by asking for a Spanish
fleet to escort the squadron under Bear-Admiral de Eichery clear of
the squadron of Bear- Admiral Man, who was supposed to be still
watching it at Cadiz. De Eichery, with the Victoire, 80,
Barras, 74, Berwick, 74, Censeur, 74, Dnquesne, 74, Jupiter, 74,
and Evolution, 74, and his three frigates, left the port on
August 4th, escorted by a Spanish fleet of twenty sail of the line,
and fourteen frigates and corvettes, commanded by Admiral Don
Juan de Langara, Hood's old colleague at Toulon. The collection
of this huge force was, in reality, quite unnecessary, for Bear-
Admiral Man, with his modest seven sail of the line, had left the
neighbourhood on July 29th, having been ordered by Jervis to rejoin
him off the coast of Corsica. Soon after making an offing, de
Langara detached Bear-Admiral Solaiio, with ten sail of the line and
six frigates, to see M. de Bichery 300 miles to the westward.
Solano did this, and de Bichery then proceeded to North America,
his original destination.
The Franco-Spanish treaty was ratified in Paris on Sep-
tember 12th ; and, immediately afterwards, Great Britain laid an
embargo on all Spanish ships still in her ports. On October 8th,
Spain formally declared war against Great Britain. But, before
this, de Langara, who had returned to Cadiz, left that port again,
with nineteen sail of the line, and ten smaller craft, and headed to
the eastward. On October 1st, when off Cape de Gata, he was
sighted by Bear-Admiral Man, who was then on his way from San
Fiorenzo to Gibraltar, with three transports and a brig under his
convoy. He had been sent back by Jervis for the reason that he
had imprudently gone eastward with scarcely any stores on board.
Jervis was naturally unable to supply the deficiencies of his sub-
ordinate, and, therefore, ordered him again to Gibraltar to fill up
with what he lacked. The Spaniards chased Man, and, on the
morning of the 3rd, captured the brig and one of the transports.
But Man's squadron and the other transports got safely into Bosia
Bay, close to Gibraltar Mole. De Langara then returned to the
eastward, and, calling off Cartagena, was joined by seven ships from
that port, bringing up his total force to twenty-six sail of the line,
1790.] MAWS DESERTION. 287
besides frigates. With this formidable fleet he cruised as far as Cape
Corse, near which he was sighted, on October 15th, by some of the
cruisers belonging to the fleet of Sir John Jervis, who then, with only
fourteen sail of the line, lay in Mortella Bay. The only other British
ships of the line east of Gibraltar were the Captain and Egmont, which
were at Bastia. De Langara might theoretically have overwhelmed
Jervis ; but, instead, he made for Toulon, where he anchored in the
last week of the month, and found twelve French ships of the line ;
so that the allies then had a combined fleet of thirty-eight sail of the
line, and eighteen or twenty frigates.
Man, as has bsen said, had been sent back by Jervis to Gibraltar
to supply himself with stores, which he ought to have taken on
board previous to sailing for San Fiorenzo. His business was to
take them on board, and to return. He had been given no dis-
cretion. Upon anchoring at Gibraltar, however, instead of following
out the orders both of the Commander-in-Chief and of the Admiralty,
he called a council of his Captains, and he and they, influenced
apparently by the knowledge of the immense Franco- Spanish force
to the eastward, decided to proceed to England. This extraordinary
decision deprived the Mediterranean fleet, at one of the most critical
moments in its history, of just one-third of its force. When the
squadron reached home, Man's action was severely disapproved, and
he was ordered to strike his flag, nor was he again employed afloat.1
" When," says Mahan, " it is remembered that only forty years had
elapsed since Byng was shot for an error in judgment, it must be
owned men had become more merciful."
Bonaparte's successes in Italy had dealt a heavy blow at British
prestige in the Mediterranean. Sardinia had already yielded Savoy
and Nice to France ; the Two Sicilies had solicited, and obtained, a
cessation of hostilities ; and, with Sardinia and the Sicilies neutral,
and Spain as an active ally, France seemed to be upon the point of
attaining all her ambitions in the Mediterranean. The situation
naturally led to renewed trouble in Corsica, where the partisans of
France were greatly inspirited. The Viceroy soon perceived that he
was threatened writh a rising of formidable proportions ; and, in
consequence of his representations to the home Government, it was
ordered that Corsica should be evacuated, and that the troops and
stores should be removed to Porto Ferrajo, in Elba. Before this
order could be fully carried out, the island was invaded by a small
1 He died, a full Admiral, in 1813.
288 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [170(5.
force from Leghorn under General Casalta, who landed in Corsica
on October 19th. Casalta, who was a popular Corsican, marched
against Bastia, before which he arrived on October 21st. He sum-
moned the place to surrender. In the town was a respectable
British garrison, and in the port were the Captain, 74, and
Egmont, 74. Under the superintendence of Nelson, who, by his
determined attitude, deterred any interference, nearly the whole of
the British garrison, besides a vast amount of public and private
property, was taken off. Immediately afterwards, the French party
occupied not only Bastia, but also Sail Fiorenzo and Bonifacio.
Casalta, having been joined from Leghorn by General Gentili, a
brother Corsican, with a large reinforcement, Ajaccio was also
presently captured. By November 2nd, the British evacuation, so
far as it could be carried out, had been completed, and Jervis, who
had learnt of the arrival of de Langara at Toulon, and who did not
know what had become of Man, sailed from Mortella Bay with
fifteen sail of the line and several frigates, besides a convoy of
merchant vessels from the Levant. On December 1st, he anchored
in Kosia Bay, Gibraltar, and, for the first time for generations, not a
single British ship of the line lay or cruised on the waters of the
Mediterranean.
Jervis 1 had been forced to proceed westwards owing to scarcity
of provisions and stores. His relative weakness must also have had
some effect on his proceedings. On his way to Gibraltar, while his
crews were on half rations, or even less, he received instructions
countermanding the evacuation of Corsica, if it had not already been
carried out, and, in the other event, ordering the retention of Elba.
Man had then put it out of the power of the Commander-in-Chief to
go back. Had Man obeyed orders, and promptly rejoined Jervis, it
is possible that, as Mahan says, the battle of Cape St. Vincent
would have been fought in the Mediterranean.'2 It is probable also,
that that sea would never have been abandoned, even for an hour.
Napoleon was elated.
" The expulsion of the English," he wrote, " has a great effect upon the success
of our military operations in Italy. We must exact more severe conditions of Naples.
1 The limits of his command had heen extended from the Mediterranean to
embrace the Atlantic coasts of Spain and Portugal.
* Such, too, was Jervis's opinion. — 'Life of St. Vincent' (Tucker\ i. 240
' Nelson's Disps.,' ii. 294.
1796.] JERV1S ABANDONS THE MEDITERRANEAN. 289
It has the greatest moral influence upon the minds of the Italians ; assures our
communications ; and will make Naples tremble even in Sicily." 1
Sir Gilbert Elliot, a far-seeing statesman, must have been
correspondingly depressed.
" I have always thought," he wrote, " that it is a great and important object in the
contest between the French Republic and the rest of Europe, that Italy, in whole or in
part, should neither be annexed to France as dominion, nor affiliated in the shape of
dependent republics ; and I have considered a superior British fleet in the Mediter-
ranean as an essential means for securing Italy and Europe from such a misfortune."
Just previous to Sir John Jervis's arrival at Gibraltar, the
Spanish fleet, accompanied by Rear-Admiral Villeneuve, with one
French 80, four French 74's, and three French frigates, put to sea
from Toulon. De Langara, with his twenty-four sail of the line,
and twelve or thirteen frigates, put into Cartagena, leaving Ville-
neuve to prosecute his voyage to Brest alone. For the moment, it
looked as if the allies were destined to lose a great part of the
advantage which they had so recently gained, thanks to the with-
drawal of Bear-Admiral Man ; for it is inconceivable that Ville-
neuve can have supposed that Jervis lay ahead of him when the
French squadron parted from the Spanish fleet ; and it is certain
that, owing solely to accidental circumstances, Villeneuve was not
annihilated as he traversed the Gut. On the afternoon of De-
cember 10th, Villeneuve, as he passed the Rock, was sighted by
some of the British ships at anchor in the Bay, and he would have
been chased, had not a heavy gale from the E.S.E prevented the
British from getting out in time to have any chance of coming up
with him. Jervis, who imagined that the enemy was bound for the
West Indies, despatched a sloop, on the llth, with warnings to the
Commanders-in-Chief at Jamaica and Barbados.
The gale of December 10th, which was so favourable to Ville-
neuve, was fatal to the British 74-gun ship Courageux, temporarily
commanded by Lieutenant John Burrows, acting for Captain Ben-
jamin Hallowell, who was on duty ashore. She drove from her
anchors, brought up almost under the guns of a Spanish battery on
the N.W. side of the Bay, and, when she weighed again and stood
towards the African coast, ran on some rocks below Ape's Hill,
where, in a few minutes, she became a wreck. Of 593 persons who
were apparently on board at the time, only 129 escaped. The
Gibraltar, 80, Captain John Pakenham (1), and the Culloden, 74,
1 'Napol.'s Uorr.,' ii. 76.
VOL. IV. U
290 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1796.
Captain Thomas Troubridge, also drove from their anchors, and
were only saved from destruction by good seamanship and strength
of hull.
Jervis entrusted the naval command at Porto Ferrajo to Com-
modore Nelson, who, for the purpose, transferred his broad pennant
from the Captain to the Minerva.1 With the remainder of the fleet,
the Coinmander-in-Chief sailed, on December 16th, for the Tagus,
where he hoped to be speedily joined by a reinforcement from home.
He arrived there on the 21st. During these movements his fleet
was further unfortunate, for the Zealous, 74, greatly injured herself
by fouling a rock off Tangier, and the Bombay Castle, 74, Captain
Thomas Sotheby, while endeavouring to avoid a collision with the
storeship Camel, ran on a sandbank at the mouth of the Tagus, and
could not be got off again. The loss of the Bombay Castle was,
however, in some measure made up by the fact that, at Lisbon, the
Commauder-in-Chief found the St. Albans, 64, flagship of Vice-
Admiral George Vandeput. He had, therefore, still fourteen sail
of the line, though he had presently to send home the damaged
Gibraltar to be docked at Plymouth.
Had the French and Spanish, in November and December, 1796,
strained every effort to assume the offensive with their thirty-eight
sail of the line, they could scarcely have failed to change the whole
course of European history. Jervis, it is of course possible, might
have evaded them ; but it is also quite possible that he would not
have refused them had they seriously challenged him, and it is still
more likely that he might not have been able to refuse them.2 The
opportunities then lost did not recur during the remainder of the
war of the French Revolution. After following the movements of
de Langara and his Toulon friends, the student is inclined to ask
himself whether the Spaniards and French of that day had even the
vaguest suspicion of the simple truth that the first objective in naval
warfare should be the enemy's fleet.
Bear- Admiral de Eichery, after his release from Cadiz, made for
North America, and, on August 28th, 1796, arrived on the Banks of
Newfoundland. The British Commander-in-Chief on the station
was Vice-Admiral Sir James Wallace, Kt., who had under his orders
1 For the further proceedings of Nelson in the Mediterranean in 1796, see next Chap.
•'• " The Admiral is as firm as a rock. He has at present fourteen sail of the
line against thirty-six, or perhaps forty. If Man joins him, they will certainly attack,
and they are all confident of victory." — ' Life of Minto," ii. 358.
1796.] DE R1CHEBY IN NORTH AMERICA. 291
only the Romneij, 50, and three or four frigates ; and, of his whole
force, only the Venus, 32, Captain Thomas Graves (3), happened to
be at St. John's. Graves, and most of his crew, went ashore to
assist in manning the batteries ; and de Eichery, looking into
the port, liked the appearance of the defences so little that he
bore away to the southward. On September 4th, he entered the
Bay of Bulls, where he plundered or destroyed the huts, boats and
stages, of the fishermen. On the 5th, he detached Commodore
Zacharie Jacques Theodore Allemand, with the Duquesne, Censeur,
and Friponne, to the Bay of Castles, in Labrador, and, with the rest
of his squadron, proceeded to St. Pierre and Miquelon, where he did
the same kind of damage as in the Bay of Bulls. Allemand, delayed
by adverse winds and fogs, did not make the Bay of Castles till
September 22nd, and, ere that time, most of the fishing vessels
had left for Europe. He demanded the surrender of the settle-
ment, which was refused ; but, as his ships approached, the people
themselves burnt their fishing-stages. Both the French divisions
went home independently, de Eichery reaching Eochefort on
November 5th, and Allemand entering Lorient on November 15th.
This expedition destroyed about one hundred fishing and merchant
vessels, and took a great many prisoners, most of whom were,
however, sent in a cartel to Halifax.
Vice-Admiral Sir John Laforey, Bart., who had succeeded Vice-
Admiral Benjamin Caldwell, in June, 1795, as Commander-in-Chief
on the Leeward Islands' station, detached the Malabar, 54, Captain
Thomas Parr, with one 64, and a few frigates * and transports, and
some troops under Major-General John Whyte, on April 15th, 1796.
On April 23rd, this expedition quietly took possession of the Dutch
settlements of Demerara and Essequibo, and, on May 2nd, of
Berbice. At Demerara, the Thetis, 24, Zeemeeuw, 12,2 and several
richly laden merchantmen were made prizes of.
Eear-Admiral Hugh Cloberry Christian, who was made a K.B. on
February 20th, 1796, had left England, on December 9th, 1795, for
the West Indies,3 with two ships of the line, five other men-of-war,
1 Scipio, 64, Captain Francis Laforey; Undaunted, 40, Captain Henry Roberts;
Pique, 40, Captain David Milne ; and Babet, Captain William Granville Lobb.
2 The Thetis Was afterwards sunk at Demerara, and the Zeemeeuw was lost.
3 Vice- Admiral the Hon. William Cornwallis, with his flag in the Royal Sovereign,
sailed with reinforcements for the West Indies on February 29th, 1796, but, his flag-
ship being disabled in a gale, he put back to Spithead on March 14th. Cornwallis was
at the time in ill-health. He was tried by court-martial on April 17th, and following
u 2
292
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1796.
and a large fleet of transports, but had been driven back by bad
weather in January. He did not finally leave Spithead till
March 20th, 1796, reaching Carlisle Bay, Barbados, on April 21st.
•On the following day Laforey and Christian proceeded with their
whole force to Marin Bay, Martinique, where they anchored on the
23rd ; and, on the 24th, Laforey resigned his command to Christian,
.and returned to England in the Majestic, 74.
Christian's first object was the reinforcement of St. Lucia. On
BEAR-ADMIRAL SIR HUGH CLOBERRY CHRISTIAN, K.B.
IFrom an engraving by H. li. Cook, after the portrait by J. Nortltcote, R-A.)
April 26th, with a squadron, in which was a large body of troops
under Lieutenant-General Sir Ealph Abercromby, he made for that
island, off which he arrived on the following morning. A landing
days, for having returned in defiance of orders, for having omitted to shift his flag
when the Royal Sovereign was disabled, and for having disobeyed an Admiralty order
'to hoist his flag in the Astrcea and proceed. He was, however, acquitted. Soon
afterwards he struck his flag at his own request, and did not again hoist it until
February, 1801.
1796.] ST. LUCIA, ST. VINCENT AND GRENADA TAKEN. 293
was at once effected in Longueville Bay, under the guns of the
Ganges, 74, Captain Eobert M'Douall, and the Pelican, 18,
Commander John Clarke Searle. On the 28th another landing was
made in Choc Bay, and, on the 29th, a third, in Anse La Eaye.
Eight hundred seamen, under Captain Eichard Lane, of the
Astrcea, 32, and Commander George Frederick Eyves (1), of the
Bulldog, bomb, were then set ashore to co-operate in the projected
military operations. Morne Chabot was carried on April 28th ; but,
on May 3rd, an attack on some batteries, and, on May 17th, an
assault on Vigie, were repulsed with heavy loss. The French,
however, finally retired to Morne Fortunee ; and, on May 24th, the
whole island capitulated, 2000 men surrendering. From St. Lucia
the expedition went to St. Vincent, which capitulated, after an
obstinate resistance, on June llth, and to Grenada, which sur-
rendered a few days later. In June, Christian was relieved in the
command of the Leeward Islands' station by Eear-Admiral Henry
Harvey, and returned to England in the Beaulieu.
On the Jamaica station, where Eear-Admiral William Parker (1)
commanded, the Navy co-operated in an attack, made by the troops
under Major-General Forbes from Port au Prince, San Domingo, upon
Leogane, in the same island. The forces were landed on March 21st,
under the fire of the Ceres, 32, Captain James Newman Newman,
Lark, 16, Commander William Ogilvy, Iphigenia, 32, Captain
Francis Farrington Gardner, Cormorant, 18, Commander Francis
Collingwood, and Sirene, 16, Commander Daniel Guerin ; and the
town and works were simultaneously cannonaded by the Leviathan,
74, Captain John Thomas Duckworth, Africa, 64, Captain Eoddam
Home, and Swiftsure, 74, Captain Eobert Parker. But the place
proved stronger than had been anticipated, and, the Leviathan and
Africa having been considerably damaged aloft by the guns on
shore, the attempt was abandoned. It is noteworthy that in spite
of the large British force on the station and of the undoubted
activity and vigilance of the British officers, in spite too of the close
watch kept upon the French Atlantic ports, the enemy, early in the
year, was able to send from Eochefort and Brest large reinforce-
ments to Cape Fran9ois. Still more remarkable is it that the two
squadrons, one under Commodore Henri Alexandre Thevenard, and
the other under Captain Guilleaume Thomas, which convoyed these
reinforcements, both returned in safety to France.
In the East Indies the operations against the Dutch were
294
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1796.
continued. On February 5th an expedition, composed of the
Heroine, 32, Captain Alan Hyde Gardner, Rattlesnake, 16, Com-
mander Edward Eamage, and Echo, 16, Commander Andrew Todd,
with five Indiamen and troops under Colonel Stuart, arrived off
Negombo, near Colombo, from the Cape of Good Hope, and pro-
ceeded to occupy the port and disembark the forces. The troops
marched to Colombo, before which the squadron had in the mean-
time stationed itself ; and on February 15th that valuable possession
surrendered.
On February 16th, Bear- Admiral Peter Kainier, Commander-in-
Chief in the East Indies, arrived, with the force set forth in the
SIGNATURE OF CAPT. EDWARD PAKENHAM, R.N., WHO PERISHED IN
H.M.S. 'RESISTANCE,' 1798.
note,1 off Amboyna, in the Moluccas, and took possession of the
island and its dependencies without resistance. On March 5th
the Bear-Admiral weighed and made for the Banda Islands ; and on
the 8th he disembarked a force on Banda Neira, under cover of the
Orpheus and an Indiaman. Though some resistance was met with,
it was speedily overcome, and the islands were surrendered on the
same evening. At each of these places large stores of valuable spices
and considerable amounts of public money were taken. A Captain's
share of the prize money for Amboyna and Banda is said to have
been £15,000.
It has been already mentioned that in February, 1796, a small
Dutch squadron escaped from the Texel and subsequently was seen
by the Glatton, and other British ships, in the North Sea. The
1 Ships.
Guns.
Commanders.
Suffolk. . . .
74
(Rear-Admiral Peter Rainier (B).
\Capt. Robert Lambert.
Centurion .
50
„ Samuel Osborn.
Resistance .
44
„ Edward Pakenham.
Orpheus
32
„ Henry Newcome.
Swift . . .
16
Com. John Sprat Rainier.
Amboyna,1 brig
10
Lieut. William Hugh Bobbie (1).
1 Ex Harlincfen, taken from the Dutch, and added to the squadron at Amboyna.
1796.]
CAPITULATION OF LUCAS'S SQUADRON.
295
object of this squadron, the constitution of which will be found
below,1 was the recapture of the Cape of Good Hope. The force
was in fact entirely inadequate for the purpose ; but James considers
that the Dutch had been misled, either as to the strength of the
British squadron at the Cape, or as to the probability of French
co-operation being offered to them.
On August 3rd, when Vice-Admiral Sir George Keith Elphinstone,
with his squadron,1 was lying in Simon's Bay, it was reported in
Cape Town that this Dutch squadron had arrived off Saldanha Bay,
fifty or sixty miles to the northward. Owing to the weather and
other causes, Elphinstone could not put to sea until August 6th,
and then, learning that some suspicious sail had been seen off False
Bay, he steered to the south and west. The weather became worse,
and, several of the ships being damaged, he had to return to Simon's
Bay on August 12th, and there received the intelligence that nine
sail of vessels had been in Saldanha Bay since the 6th. He could
not sail again until the 15th ; and, on the evening of the 16th, when
off the port, he sent in the Crescent, which saw the Dutch squadron
at anchor. The British ships then formed in line, and anchored
within gunshot of the Dutch, who were invited to surrender quietly
to the vastly superior force of which they were in presence. On
the 17th a capitulation was agreed to. No reflection attaches to
Rear-Admiral Lucas for having thus given up his squadron, seeing
1 BBITISH AND DUTCH SQUADRONS AT THE CAPE OF GOOD HOPE, AUGUST, 1790.
BBITISH.
DUTCH.
Ships.
Guns. Commanders.
Ships. Guns.
Commanders.
Monarch . . .
! Vice-Admiral G. K.
Elphinstone, K.B. (B).
Capt. John £lphinstoue
Dordrecht ... 64
Eevolutie "... 64
fRear-Admiral Engel-
l bertus Lucas.
Capt. Jan Rijnbende.
(!)•
[Rear-Admiral Thomas
M. H. Tromp . .
51
/Com. Jan Valkenbnrg
I (actg.).
Tremendous . .
74 < I'ringle (R).
Castor 2 ....
44
Capt. Jacob Claris.
America . . .
(Capt. John Aylmer (1).
64 „ John Blankett.
Brave 3 ....
42
(Com. Jacob Zoetemans
1 (actg.).
Ruby .
fi . I „ Hon. Henry Edwyn
' I Stanhope.
64 „ Billy Douglas.
64 i „ William Essington.
Rirene* ....
Eellona* . . .
Havik ....
26
24
18
„ C. DeCerf(actg.)
I „ G. A. De Falck
I (actg.).
Lieut. Pieter Besemer.
Stately
Sceptre
Trident
f „ Edward Oliver
' i Osborn.
Vrouw Maria . . 16
„ Hermanns Barbier.
Jupiter
50 „ George Losack.
Crescent
36 „ Edward Buller.
Sphinx
24 Corn. Andrew Todd.
Moselle
16 „ Charles Brisbane.
Rattlesnake
16 „ Edward Ramage.
Echo . .
16 .. John Tumor.
Hope
(Lieut. John Alexander
' 1 CO-
1 £x Prins Frederik\ renamed Prince Frederick.
2 Later Saldanha, 38.
5 Later Vindictive.
Ex Princes Fr. Louisa Wilhelmina.
Later Laurel.
296 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1796.
that it mounted little more than half as many guns, and that it had
on board less than half as many men, as the British squadron. In
October, Elphinstone relinquished his command to Rear-Admiral
Thomas Pringle, who had previously been his second, and returned
to England in the Monarch. The only other transaction on the
station during the year that calls for notice here was the capture
and destruction, on December 2nd, of the French settlement at
Foul Point, Madagascar, by the Crescent, 36, Captain John William
Spranger, Brave, 36, Captain Andrew Todd, and Sphinx, 24, Com-
mander Francis Holmes Coffin ; which also captured five merchant-
men there.
By the middle of 1796, the young French Republic had rid itself
of its gravest internal difficulties. The disaffection in the south had
been quelled, and the royalists of La Vendee had been subdued.
Nor did France any longer stand alone. She had with her the
resources of Holland, and she was about to command the active
co-operation of Spain. It seemed, therefore, to those who had the
direction of her naval and military forces, that the moment had
arrived for her to concentrate her energies in the dealing of as
serious a blow as possible at Great Britain, her most formidable
enemy. At first it was intended to attempt upon a grand scale
an invasion of England ; but it was soon realised that to do this
with a reasonable prospect of success would necessitate an
expenditure greater than could be incurred with convenience
at that time. Ireland, however, was disaffected ; and it was
imagined that a force much smaller than any with which it
could be hoped to make a direct impression upon England might,
if despatched to Ireland, enable the rebels there to gain their
object. An Ireland freed by French help from its connection
with Great Britain could, it was felt, scarcely fail to become a
useful ally of the Republic, and a grave menace to the United
Kingdom. The French government, accordingly, offered to send
25,000 men under General Hoche, to the support of the rebel-
lion. The Irish delegates in Paris considered that 15,000 men
would be sufficient ; and, when France had made some progress
with her preparations for the despatch of that number of troops,
and of supplies of arms and ammunition for the insurgents,
Lord Edward Fitzgerald and Mr. Arthur O'Connor met General
Hoche at Bale, and settled with him the details of the coming
campaign.
1796.] HOCHE'S EXPEDITION TO IRELAND. 297
The broad outlines of this had been already arranged by Hoche
in conjunction with Vice-Adniiral Truguet, French minister of
marine. Vice-Admiral Villaret-Joyeuse, with fifteen sail of the
line which lay at Brest, was to carry to Ireland a first division of
the invading force. In the meantime seven sail of the line under
Bear-Admiral de Eichery, from Lorient, and five sail of the line under
Bear-Admiral Villeneuve, from Toulon, were to proceed to Brest,
and, taking on board the rest of the expedition, were to follow
Villaret-Joyeuse, who, after landing his part of the army, was to
detach himself with his eight fastest two-deckers, and make the
best of his way to the Indian Beas, where he was to assist Tippoo
Sahib and the Dutch, and to act with energy against the British
possessions, in co-operation with Bear-Admiral Sercey, who was
already on the station. But the plan was presently altered.
Hoche, believing that Villaret-Joyeuse attached too much im-
portance to the Indian, and too little to the Irish part of the
scheme, induced his government to supersede Villaret-Joyeuse
in favour of Vice-Admiral Morard de Galles as commander-in-
chief, and to consent to the whole expedition being transported at
once, instead of in two divisions. This change in the plans
involved delay. According to the original intention, the first
division should have left Brest at about the end of October, 1796 ;
but de Bichery, while on his way from Lorient, was induced, by the
proximity of a British squadron under Bear-Admiral Sir Boger
Curtis, to put into Bochefort on November 5th ; and he did not
again get under way until December 8th. On the llth, having
evaded the squadron which lay off the port under Vice-Admiral Sir
John Colpoys, he entered Brest. It was then found that only two
of his ships of the line were in a condition to go to sea again
immediately. Moreover, Villeneuve, from Toulon, had not arrived.1
Nevertheless, it was decided to wait no longer. On December 15th,
part of the fleet weighed and anchored outside the port ; and, by
midday on the 16th, having been joined by the remaining vessels, it
began to make sail with a fair easterly wind. The naval force
which thus set out had on board about 18,000 troops of all arms,
numerous field-guns, much ammunition, and stores of all sorts in
profusion ; and it appears to have been unusually well-equipped,
though it was provisioned for too short a period. Under Hoche
1 Ou December 23rd, Villeneuve was driven by Colpoys to take refuge in
Lorient.
298
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1796.
were Generals Humbert and Grouchy, besides others of less note.
The constitution of the fleet is set forth in the note.1
M. Morard de Galles at first intended to make an offing by way
of the Passage du Kaz, in order to evade the observation of the
British Admiral who was cruising off Ushant ; but, when darkness
came on and the wind grew variable, he altered his design, and
signalled from the frigate Fraterniti, where he temporarily flew his
flag, for the fleet to proceed through the Passage d'Iroise, which
presents a wider and easier channel. As the signal was seen by
only a few ships, part of the fleet pursued the original, and part the
1 FLEET OF M. MOIIAUD LIE GALLES, FOB THE CONVOY TO IRELAND OP
THE ARMY UNDER GENERAL HOCHE, 1796-97.
Ships.
Guiis.
Commanders.
Remarks.
/Scduisant1 .
74
Capt. Dufossey.
/Wrecked on night of
\ Dec. 16th.
Pluton ....
74
„ J. M. Lebrun.
.
Trajan ....
74
Commod. J. Le Ray.
1'
Constitution
74
„ L. L'Heritier.
{Proper flagship of Rear-
Adm. J. M. Nielly.
Wattignies .
74
Capt. H. A. Thevenard.
Rase, Scevola? 44; Frigates, Impatiente,1 44, Resolue, 40 (flag of Rear- Adm.
\ Nielly), Surveillante,1 36, Charente, 36 ; Brigs, A/ronteur, 16, Faufoar, 16.
1 'indomptable
80
Commod. J. Bedout. ^Mm Morard dfolllet
Fougueux .
74
E. T. Maistral.
Mucius ....
74
/ „ P. M. J. Quer-
\ i
I angal.
£
Redoutable .
74
Capt. Moncousu.
1| ( Patriote.
74
„ La Fargue.
T .i
r Commod. P. R. M. E. Du-
[Frigates, Fraternite, 40 (flag of Vice- Adm. Morard de Galles), Eomaine, 40,
Sirene, 36, Tortile,1 40; Powder vessel, Fidele, 40; Brigs, Atalante? 20,
Voltigeur, 16.
C. A. L. Durand-Linois.
74 | Capt. Dufay.
Commod. J. R. La Crosse.
Capt. J. B. Henry.
Capt. J. P. A. Malin.
^ I /Rear- Admiral de Richery.
\Capt. C. Laronier.
Frigates, Cocarde, 40, Bravovre, 40, Immortalite, 40 (flag of Rear-Adm. Bouvet),
Bellone, 40 ; Brigs, Mutine,1 14, Renard, 16.
Transports : Nicodeme, Justine,1 Fille Unique,1 Ville de Lorient,1 Su/ren*
Allegre,1 Experiment.
Nestor ....
74
iCassard ....
74
Droits de I'Homme '
74
Tourville
74
Sole
74
Pegase ....
74
Taken or lost before their return to purt.
1796.] BOCHE'S EXPEDITION TO IRELAND. 299
new course ; and thus, at the very commencement of the voyage,
the expedition fell into confusion. This confusion was increased by
the guns which were fired and the lights which were shown by the
FraterniU to call attention to her movements ; by the firing of more
guns by the Atalante, which was detached by the commander-in-
chief after that part of the fleet which had not followed him ; by
the firing of still more guns by the British frigate Indefatigable, 44,
ADMIRAL SIR JOHN COLPOY8, K.B.
(From an engraving by Ridley, after the picture by Mather Brown.)
which had been watching the port ; and by the signals of distress
which proceeded from the Seduisant, 74. In her efforts to make
the Passage du Kaz she had struck on the Grand Stevenet, where,
ere morning, she became a total loss, about 680 of her people
perishing with her.
The Indefatigable was then commanded by Captain Sir Edward
Pellew, who, with the Eevolutionnaire, 38, Captain Francis Cole,
Amazon, 36, Captain Eobert Carthew Eeynolds, Phoebe, 36, Captain
300 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1796.
Eobert Barlow, and hired armed lugger, Duke of York, Mr.
Benjamin Sparrow, had been stationed to get early information
of any movement at Brest, and to communicate it to Vice-Admiral
Sir John Colpoys at a rendezvous about twenty miles west of
Ushant. On December llth, Pellew had sent the Amazon to
England and the Phoebe to Colpoys with news of the arrival of
de Eichery at Brest, and on the 15th he had again sent the Phoebe
to Colpoys ' to report that the French fleet was coming out. In
the afternoon of the 16th he had also sent the Revolutionnaire
to further inform the Vice-Admiral of what was going forward.
Pellew remained to watch the enemy, which he even allowed to
get within gunshot of him ere he made off. Early on the 17th, he
sent the Duke of York to Falmouth with dispatches ; and soon
afterwards, having lost sight of the French in the night, he
followed her.2
At dawn on December 17th, part of the French fleet had cleared
the Passage du Eaz. Eear- Admiral Bouvet was the senior officer
with this part, and, seeing nothing of the rest of the expedition, he
opened his instructions, in accordance with the directions which he
was to follow in case of separation, and learnt from them that he
was to make Mizen Head, in county Cork, and to cruise off it for
five days to await orders. He steered nearly due west until the
morning of the 19th, when he altered course to the north. Soon
afterwards he fell in with some of his missing consorts, the result
being that by noon he had with him the whole of the expedition
except the Nestor, 74, Fraternite, 40, Cocarde, 40, Romaine, 40, three
of the brigs, and two of the transports. The command, in the
absence of M. Morard de Galles, who was still in the Fraternite,
thus devolved upon M. Bouvet, who, on the morning of December
21st, sighted Mizen Head, and, soon afterwards, made the signal to
prepare to anchor in Bantry Bay.
1 The Phcebe on this occasion did not reach Colpoys until the 19th, when he, with
thirteen sail, was iu latitude 48° 51' N., and longitude 5° 43' W., whither he had
cruised. On the following day he sighted, and sent some of his ships in chase of,
Villeneuve's squadron, which was on its way from Toulon, and which escaped into
Lorient. Then, having suffered in a gale, he had to bear away for Spithead. Thus he
failed to sight Bouvet.
2 Pellew reached Falmouth late on December 20th. On the 25th, Bridport weighed
from Spithead to go in chase of the Brest fleet, but he was delayed by a series of
accidents, and was unable to leave St. Helen's until January 3rd, 1797. Proceeding
first off Ushant and then off Bantry, he saw nothing of the enemy until, on the 10thr
as will be seen, he vainly chased the Revolution and Fraternite.
T796.] BOTJVET IN BANTRY BAY. 301
From pilots who, mistaking the fleet for a British one, went out
unsuspiciously to it, and were detained, the French learnt that no
vessels had appeared off the coast during the previous three days ;
and that the only force lying in the Cove of Cork l consisted of six
frigates. There was a fresh wind from the eastward ; and, as the
fleet made little way in beating up against it, M. Bouvet, at 4 P.M.
on the 22nd, anchored the Immortality to windward of the eastern
end of Bere Island, another frigate, eight ships of the line, four
brigs, and one transport anchoring near her. The other ships
remained under way, and, on the morning of the 23rd, were not
visible from the anchorage. During the following twenty-four
hours there was a heavy gale from the eastward. On the 24th, at
the instance of Grouchy, who was the senior military officer present,
preparations were made to land troops, either at Waterfall or in
the mouth of the little river Ardrigole, higher up the Bay. To
facilitate the landing, the ships weighed in order to move nearer
in ; but, the weather again becoming dirty, the squadron re-
anchored. On the 25th, the weather was so bad that such
vessels as did not voluntarily put to sea drove from their
anchors ; 2 and, for the next three days, there was no possibility
of again entering the Bay. When, on the 29th, the weather
moderated and the wind became fair, Bouvet, who did not know
what had become of his consorts, and who had only a few days'
provisions remaining on board the Immortalite, headed his frigate
for Brest, which he reached on January 1st, 1797. On the same
day the Indomptable, Mucius, Fougueux, Patriote, and Eedoutable
also entered the road.
The Nestor, Fraternite, Cocarde, Eomaine, and small craft,
which, on December 19th, had become separated from the rest of
the French fleet, lost sight of one another during the 20th. On the
21st, the Fraternite, still bearing the flag of M. Morard de Galles,
was chased by a British frigate and driven far to the westward of
her destination ; and not until the morning of the 29th was she able
to stand for Bantry Bay. On her course thither she fell in with the
Revolution, which was occupied in taking out the people from the
Scevola, the latter having become quite unseaworthy owing to the
bad weather which she had encountered. No French ships were
1 Now Queenstown Harbour.
2 On this occasion the Indomptable, 80, fouled the Resolue, 40, and carried away
all her masts.
302 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
found off Bere Island ; and, as both the Revolution and the
FraternitS were now overcrowded and getting short of provisions,
Morard de Galles and Hoche decided to return to France. On their
way, the two French ships, on January 8th, sighted, and tacked
away from, the British frigates Unicorn, 32, Captain Sir Thomas
Williams, and Doris, 36, Captain the Hon. Charles Jones,1 which
were themselves at the same time being chased by a considerable
part of the returning expeditionary squadron, and which might have
been easily taken, if the French comniander-in-chief had only
known how near his friends were to him. On the 10th, again,
the Revolution and Prater nite were chased by Lord Bridport's
fleet ; 2 but, thanks to the thick weather, they got away, and,
on the 14th, entered Eochefort.
Some of the ships which had failed to make Bantry proceeded
eventually to the mouth of the Shannon ; but they attempted
nothing there ; and, after a short stay, headed again for France.
One of them was the Droits de I'Homme, 74, on board of which was
General Humbert. After quitting the Shannon, off which she
captured a rich letter of marque, and looking a second time into
Bantry Bay, she left the coast of Ireland on January 9th, and made
for Brest. On the 13th the weather was thick, and, although
Captain La Crosse believed himself to be near his destination, he
stood to the southward under easy sail with the wind on his star-
board beam. Early in the afternoon he imagined himself to be
chased by two vessels, and, in his endeavours to escape from them,3
he ran up against two more, which were sighted at 3.30 P.M., and
which turned out to be the Indefatigable, 44, Captain Sir Edward
Pellew, and the Amazon, 36, Captain Eobert Carthew Eeynolds.
These frigates were still engaged in watching Brest, and were then
in latitude 47° 30' N., Ushant bearing N.E. 50 leagues. When they
first saw the French 74, she bore N.W. from them. At 4.15 P.M.
the Droits de I'Homme was so unfortunate as to carry away in a
squall her main topsail braces and, soon afterwards, her fore and
main topmasts ; but long before 5.30 P.M., when the Indefatigable,
then seven miles ahead of her consort, got within hail, the French-
man had cleared away the wreck. A hot action then began, the
These frigates belonged to a squadron stationed off the coast of Ireland under
Vice- Admiral Robert Kingsmill. The Hon. C. Jones was afterwards Viscount Eane-
lagh. He died, still a Captain, in December, 1800.
2 The Channel Fleet.
3 They seem, after all, to have been French ships.
1797.] THE "AMAZON" AND " DBOITS DE L'HOMME." 303
natural superiority of the two-decker being to some extent
neutralised by ber crippled condition, and by her inability to
keep open her lower ports when she was rolling in a heavy
sea with but little sail to steady her. At about 6.45 P.M. the
Amazon came up, and poured a broadside into the Frenchman's
quarter; but Captain La Crosse handled his ship so as to avoid
being raked, and so as to bring both of his opponents on one side of
him, and at 7.30 P.M. he was temporarily relieved by both the
British ships shooting ahead, the Amazon, on account of the
quantity of sail which she carried, and the Indefatigable, to repair
damages aloft. The Droits de I'Homme utilised the respite as best
she could, and continued running to the east-south-east. At 8.30
the action was renewed, the frigates stationing themselves one on
each bow of the 74, and yawing to rake her, and she, from time to
time, also yawing to rake them, though without much effect. At
10.30 P.M., she was obliged to cut away her mizen ; whereupon the
frigates took up positions on her quarters. With a brief inter-
mission, the fight continued until about 4.20 A.M. on January 14th,
when land was suddenly sighted close ahead. The Indefatigable
promptly hauled off, and made sail to the southward. The Amazon
wore to the northward ; but, being unable, owing to her crippled
state, to work off, she ran aground in about half an hour and
became a wreck. Except six men, all her people saved themselves,
though they were, of course, made prisoners.1
In this action the Indefatigable had all her masts wounded ;
and, at its conclusion, she had four feet of water in her hold ; but
she had only Lieutenant John Thompson 2 and 18 men wounded,
and nobody killed. The Atalante suffered almost as severely aloft
and in hull, and had 3 men killed and 15 badly wounded.
As for the gallant Droits de I'Homme, which, in the engagement,
had lost no fewer than 103 killed and about 150 wounded, she also
altered course, hoping to avoid the danger, but immediately after-
wards lost her foremast and bowsprit. In vain did she try to bring
up. In a few minutes she struck on a sandbank in the Bay of
Audierne. As she pounded there her mainmast went by the board.
During the whole of the following day and night, and also on the
1 Captain Reynolds and his officers were " most honourably and fully acquitted,"
with the court's highest approbation. C.M., September 29th, 1797.
2 First Lieutenant. He was promoted to be Commander, but died in that rank
in 1804. The first Lieutenant of the Amazon, Bendall Robert Littlehales, who was also
promoted, died a Vice-Admiral in 1847.
304 MA JOE OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
15th and 16th of January, she lay, her people being washed out
of her by the heavy sea, or being drowned in their endeavours to
make the shore. Few managed to reach it. On the 17th, when
the weather had cleared, the Arrogante, brig, and Aiguille, cutter,
reached the spot ; and on that day and the following the survivors
were taken off from the wreck. The disaster is supposed to have
cost the loss of upwards of 1000 lives.1 This was the most
terrible episode of an adventure which, from beginning to end,
was singularly unfortunate.2
Lord Bridport, though on the look-out for the returning
remnants of the Brest fleet, failed to intercept any part of it ; and,
on January 19th, having satisfied himself that nothing of im-
portance remained for him to intercept, he detached five ships of
the line and a frigate3 to Gibraltar under Eear- Admiral William
Parker (1) to reinforce Sir John Jervis. For a few days longer he
cruised with the rest of his fleet off Ushant, and then went,
by way of Torbay, to Spithead, where he dropped anchor on
February 3rd. He sailed again on March 3rd for a cruise off
Brest, and returned to his anchorage on the 30th. On April 6th,
it being held that it would be sufficient merely to watch the enemy,
Kear-Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis, with nine sail of the line, sailed to
take up a position off the enemy's port. Up to about that time
Lord Bridport had been only the locum tenens for Lord Howe in
chief command of the Channel Fleet ; but Howe's continued ill-
health then obliged him to resign. It was on April 15th, when
Bridport signalled to prepare for sea with a- view to making his
first cruise as real Commander-in-Chief, that the great mutiny,
1 ' Nav. Chron.,' vii. 465 ; Marshall, ' Nav. Biog.,' ii., under " Littlehales " ; ' Viet,
et Conquetes,' vii. 296.
2 Those of the expeditionary ships which never returned to port are to be thus
accounted for : Seduisant, 74, wrecked, December 16th, 1796, going out of Brest ;
Droits de THomme, 74, wrecked, January 13th, 1797, while in action off the Pen-
rnarcks ; Scevola, 44, foundered, December 30th, oft' Ireland ; Impatiente, 44, wrecked,
December 30th, near Crookhaven; Surveillante, 36, wrecked in January in Bantry
Bay ; Tortue, 40, taken, January oth, off Ireland, by the Polyphemus, 64 ; Atalante^
20, taken, January 10th, by the Phabe, 36 ; Mutine, 14, taken May 29th, at Santa
Cruz ; Justine, taken, December 30th, by the Polyphemus, 64 ; FilJe Unique, foundered
January 6th, in the Bay of Biscay ; Ville de Lorient, taken, January 7th, by the
Unicorn^ 32 ; Suffren, taken by the Jason ; retaken by the Tortue',; again taken by
the Daedalus, 32, and sunk ; Allegre, taken January 12th, by the Spitfire, 16.
3 Prince George, Namur, Orion, Irresistible, Colossus, and Thalia. These were
given a rendezvous with Admiral Sir John Jervis off Cape St. Vincent, where, as will
be seen, they joined him on February 6th.
1797.] SAILING OF DON JOSE DE CORDOVA. 305
some account of which is given in the previous chapter, broke
out at Spithead. That regrettable event had the effect of post-
poning the weighing of the fleet until May 16th, and, even then,
it was not able to make an offing until the 17th. Thenceforward,
during the rest of the summer, Bridport remained almost con-
tinuously cruising in the Channel, while frigate squadrons under
Sir Edward Pellew and Sir John Borlase Warren more closely
observed the enemy's harbours ; but, chiefly owing to political
convulsions in Paris, the French did not venture out, and a
meditated second attempt upon Ireland had to be, for that year,
abandoned. Elsewhere the foes of Great Britain were much more
active.
Admiral Sir John Jervis, with the fleet which had temporarily
abandoned the Mediterranean in the previous year, remained in
the Tagus until January 18th, 1797, when, with eleven sail of the
line, he left Lisbon in order to escort to a safe latitude a Brazil
•convoy, and to make rendezvous off Cape St. Vincent with the
reinforcement which Bear-Admiral William Parker (1) was bringing
•out from the Channel. In attempting to leave the river the St.
George, 98, Captain Shuldham Peard, after colliding with a Portu-
guese frigate, grounded on the Cachopo Shoal, and suffered so
much damage that she had to return for repairs. The Admiral's
force was thus reduced to ten ships of the line ; but, after he had
seen his convoy on its way and was making for St. Vincent, he
fell in, on February 6th, with the reinforcements which had been
detached from the Channel Fleet. This brought up his immediately
available strength to fifteen ships of the line, besides frigates. In
addition the St. George, 98, and Zealous, 74, were repairing at
Lisbon, and the Gibraltar, 80, at Plymouth.
In the meantime the grand fleet of Spain, under Admiral Don
Jose de Cordova, who had superseded Admiral de Langara, lay
at Cartagena. It consisted of 27 sail of the line, 12 frigates, a brig-
corvette, and some smaller craft. According to the plans of the
allies this fleet was eventually to make its way to Brest, and there
to join the French and Dutch fleets in order to clear the way for
an invasion of England. But it was not to attempt to make the
voyage to Brest directly. It was to halt on its way at Cadiz for
refreshment and supplies.
Sir John Jervis, upon whom devolved the task of preventing
Don Jose de Cordova from joining hands with M. Morard de
VOL. IV. X
306
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1797.
Galles, had with him a numerically inferior force. Moreover he
did not know that the Spaniards intended to put into Cadiz. And,
seeing that he expected his enemy off Cape St. Vincent, which is
far to the westward of Cadiz, he could have neither fought nor
sighted Don Jose when he did, had the Spanish admiral been ahle
to carry out his design. But for an accidental circumstance Don
Jose would have got safely into Cadiz ; and, instead of the glories
ADMIRAL WILLIAM, LORD RADSTOCK, G.C.B.
(From an engraving by Kidley, after the portrait by J. Northcote, B.A.~)
of St. Vincent, the British fleet would probably have tasted the
monotonous weariness of a long period of blockading duty. That
accidental circumstance was the continuance, for a comparatively
long period, of strong easterly and south-easterly winds in the
neighbourhood of the Strait.
After his reinforcement had joined him Jervis worked slowly
up against these winds for his station off Cape St. Vincent. Don
Jose de Cordova had already left Cartagena on February 1st. On
V a//tr j V ;'// 1-. .v/1- ./,
Vx //'/•//
;^> • / s? W'
• , sa&n£Z0i& ftrj <./fAs //: t
1797.] BATTLE OF GAPE ST. VINCENT. 307
the 5th, as he passed Gibraltar, he sent into Algeciras a number
of gunboats and transports, escorted by the Neptuno, 80, Bahama, 74,
Terrible, 74, and Nuestra Senora del Guadalupe, 34. One of the
two-deckers rejoined the fleet at once. The other two1 ships of
the line did not leave port until the 10th, and, on the llth, sighted
and chased the Minerve, 38, Commodore Horatio Nelson, Captain
George Cockburn, which was returning from Porto Ferrajo with
Sir Gilbert Elliot, late Viceroy of Corsica, Lieut.-Colonel Drink-
water, and other officials on board. The Minerve escaped without
much difficulty, and, early on the 13th, joined Jervis, to whom she
brought the first news 2 of the Spaniards being at sea.
Ere that time Don Jose de Cordova would have been in Cadiz,
had not the easterly gale driven him much to westward of his port,
and into the neighbourhood of the British fleet. Not until the
night of the 13th did the wind change to west-by-south. The
Spaniards 3 then began to crowd in towards the land without much
regard to order. Their signal guns had been already heard by
the British ; and at 2.30 A.M. on the 14th Jervis learnt from a
Portuguese frigate that the enemy was but about five leagues from
him, to windward.
The early morning of the 14th of February, 1797, was misty
and dark. The British fleet was then standing in two columns on
the starboard tack, with the wind west by south, Cape St. Vincent
bearing east by north, distant twenty-five miles. At about 6.30 A.M.
the Culloden signalled five sail in the south-west by south ; and
a little later the news was confirmed by the Niger and Lively,
which were able to add that the strangers were by the wind on
the starboard tack. Thereupon the Bonne Citoyenne was directed
to reconnoitre ; and at 8.15 A.M. the Admiral ordered his fleet to
form in close order. He had already, over night, ordered it to
prepare for action. He now repeated that signal, and, at 9.30,
detached ahead the Culloden, Blenheim, and Prince George, rein-
forced twenty minutes later by the Irresistible, Colossus, and Orion,
to chase to the south-west. Still, neither side knew the numerical
strength of its foe. The Spaniards, unintentionally misled by an
1 They did not rejoin the flag until the afternoon of the 14th, during the action.
a The Niger, 32, Captain Edward James Foote, had kept company with and
observed the Spaniards for several days, but did not join the fleet until 5 A.M. on
the 14th.
* They had previously sighted some of the British ships, but, mistaking them for
merchantmen, paid little attention to them.
x 2
308 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
American skipper who had sighted the British on the 4th, believed
that Jervis had but nine sail of the line with him. The British
at 9 A.M. could count but twenty sail of the line. Not until about
11 A.M. did the Spaniards realise that fifteen sail of the line were
opposed to them, nor did Jervis know that he had to deal with
twenty-six.1 Up to that time the two parallel British lines had
been heading for a gap which separated the Spanish fleet into two
divisions, one, the larger, of twenty-one ships, being to windward,
BATTLE OF CAPE S"^ VINCENT.
A? T" FUB ""
FIG. I .
^BOUT /J-35 AM.
running (with the exception of two, which were far to the south-
west) in a mass under all sail with the wind on the starboard
quarter, and the other, the smaller, of six ships, being to leeward,
close-hauled on the port tack, and endeavouring to join the larger
ere Jervis could cut in between the two.
At a few minutes before 11 A.M. some of the headmost ships of
1 The logs of the Victory and Bonne Gitoyenne, as well as Jervis's dispatch, as
published in the ' Gazette,' put the number at only twenty-five, but the two line-of-
battle ships which had put into Algeciras, and which had not already rejoined, joined
during the battle.
1797.]
BATTLE OF CAPE ST. VINCENT.
309
the Spanish weather division began to wear and trim on the port
tack, as if with the intention of ultimately forming line and passing
along the British weather column, so exposing that column, con-
sisting of eight ships only, to the fire of twenty or twenty-one
vessels, and, at the same time, preventing the British lee column
from using its guns for fear of injuring its friends. Jervis's
reply was, at 11 A.M., to order his own ships to form in single
column ahead and astern of the Victory, as most convenient, and
to steer S.S.W., or close-hauled on the starboard tack, a course
which kept the Spanish lee division upon the British lee or port
bow. When this signal had been obeyed the order of the column
was as given in the note below.1 A little later Jervis made the
signal to pass through the enemy's line; and, at about the same
time, five of the six ships of the Spanish lee division, perceiving
1 FLEET OF ADMIRAL SIB JOHN JEKVIS IN THE BATTLE OFF CAPE ST. VINCENT,
FEBRUARY 14TH, 1797, with the Names of the Captains and First Lieutenants,
and the numbers Killed and seriously Wounded in each ship.
Ships.
Gnus.
Commanders.
H
£
First Lieutenants.1
74
08
93
74
74
74
100
74
74
98
100
90
74
64
74
Capt. Thomas Troubridge ....
„ Thomas Lenox Frederick . .
/Eear-Adm. William Parker (1) (R.) )
ICapt. John Irwin ]
10
12
8
5
1
2
24
11
47
49
7
9
5
14
5
8
7
1
6
56
2
12
Anselm John Griffiths.
Robert Campbell (1).
Robert Williams (1).
James Barker.
Richard Prater.
William Bevians.
William Selby.
George Burdett.
William Collis.
John Bligh (2).
Valentine Collard.
James Nash.
(Edward Berry (Com.)
I actg.
/Henry Edward Reginald
\ Baker.
John Mortimer.
Prince George .
, , Sir James Saumarez ....
,, George Murray (3) ....
Irresistible ....
(Admiral Sir John Jervis, K.B. (B.) .1
<Capt. (1st) Robert Calder . . . .>
I „ (2nd) George Grey (1) . . .)
„ Sir Charles Henry Knowles, Bart.
IVice-Adm. Hon. William Walde-|
< grave (B ) . . . \
Barfleur
Britannia ....
leapt. James Richard Dacres (1) . . |
( Vice-Adm. Charles Thompson (B.) . l
ICapt. Thomas Foley (3) .... J
,, James Hawkins Wbitshed . .
fCommod. Horatio Nelson . . . .}
ICapt. Ralph Willett Miller . . ./
, , George Henry Towry . ,
„ Cnthbert Collingwood . . .
Minerve . . 38
Southampton 32
Lively . . 32
Niyer . . 32
Bonne Citoyenne 20
Raven, brig. 18
Fox, cutter . 10
,, James Macnamara (2) .
„ Lord Garlies
.. Edward James Foote
„ William Prowse (1) . . .
Lieut. John Gibson
73 1 227
i Promoted to be Commanders, chiefly on March 8th, 1797. Commander Berry was posted on March 6th.
SPANISH SHII-S OF THE LINE PKESKNT m THE ACTION : 130 guns, Santitima Trinidad ; 112 guns, ConcepcUn,
Coiulc de RegU, Mexicano, Principe de Asturias, Salvador del Mundo (taken), San Josef (taken) ; 80 guns,
Neptuno, San Nicolas (taken) i 74 guns, Atlunte, Bahama, Conquistador, Firme, Glarioso, Oriente, Pelayo. San
Antmia, San Domingo, San Pirmin, San Francisco de Paula, San Genaro, San fldefonso, San Juan
Nepomuceno, San Pablo, San Tsidro (taken), Soberano, Terrible.
310 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
that the British were for the moment neglecting them, and that
they could not in any case cross Jervis's bows, hauled up on the
starboard tack as if in indecision, but finally settled upon a north-
east course. The sixth ship, a 74, made off at once and alone
under a crowd of sail to the south-east, and was soon out of sight ;
but the five were almost simultaneously reinforced by two three-
deckers and one two-decker,1 which, standing across the head of
the British column, joined them. These evolutions reduced the
0
a a
a a a
BATTLE, or CAPF. ST VINCENT
*F,o'V
/laouT /2'30 f> Af
Spanish weather division to eighteen sail of the line, inclusive of
the two vessels which were about to rejoin from Algeciras. At
11.31 A.M., when the Culloden was abreast of the leading ships of
the enemy's weather division, she opened fire upon them by signal,
and was replied to, though the range was distant. The ships in
her wake followed her example as they approached within gunshot ;
and at 12.8 P.M., just as Troubridge had passed the last ship of the
Spanish weather division, he was signalled to tack. The Blenheim
did the same a little later, and then the Prince George, which was
1 Probably Conde de Regla, 112, Principe de Asturias, 112, and Orients, 74.
1797.] NELSON'S QUICK DECISION. 311
a good deal out of station to leeward. At about that time the
Spanish lee division put about on the port tack as if with the in-
tention of cutting the British column at the point at which the
vessels composing it were tacking in succession. The Orion got
round ; the Colossus, her next astern, was in the act of going about,
when her foreyard and fore-topsail yard were shot away in the
slings, and her fore-topmast went a little above the cap. She had,
in consequence, to wear instead of tack ; and while her head still
pointed to leeward, the headmost Spaniard of the lee division
drew so near as to threaten her with a raking broadside. Seeing
Murray's danger and exposed position, Saumarez most gallantly
backed his main topsail, and lay by to cover his friend ; but the
danger passed. Jervis signalled to his van to alter course one
point to starboard, and to pass through the enemy. As he got up
to the tacking point the Irresistible, his next ahead, became hotly
engaged with the Spanish lee division. When she had tacked
after the van the advancing Spaniards made an effort to break the
line ahead of the Victory ; but the British flagship was too quick
for the enemy, and the leading Spaniard, a three-decker, had to
tack close under the Victory's lee, receiving a raking broadside as
she did so, and then bearing up in confusion. Her seven consorts,
with more or less determination, tried to pass ahead or astern of
the Egmont and Goliath, but were driven off, and, with the ex-
ception of the Oriente, obliged to bear up. The Oriente continued
on the port tack, and, passing to leeward of the British rear under
cover of the smoke, succeeded in joining the Spanish weather
division.
It was about 1 P.M. when the Excellent, the rearmost ship of
the British line, had advanced so far ahead on her course on the
starboard tack as to leave, as James puts it, an open sea to leeward
of the Spanish weather division, and when the leading ships of
the latter bore up together by way of making an effort to join
their friends to leeward. This was the critical moment of the
action, which, up to that time, had been of a very partial
character, and which, had the Spaniards been allowed unchecked
to accomplish their purpose, would, no doubt, either have ended
indecisively almost at once, or have become a long and tedious
running fight, the quicker Spaniards crowding sail for Cadiz, and
the better-handled British hanging upon their rear and doing such
damage as they might. Nelson, in the Captain, quickly perceived
312 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
this, and realised that the head of the doubled up British column,
pursuing the main body of the Spaniards, was too far astern of it
to be able to interfere unaided with success. Giving, therefore, a
very wide interpretation to a signal l which had been hoisted by
the Victory at 0.51 P.M., the Commodore ordered Captain Miller to
wear the Captain. As soon as the two-decker was round, he took
her between the Diadem and the Excellent, and ran her athwart
the bows of the Spanish ships forming the central mass of the
~^>
"V-»«^
<=><=>
BATTLE: or CAPE ST VIMCEMT
/# T." Fee ~* f797
weather division. This mass included the Santisima Trinidad, 130,
San Josef, 112, Salvador del Mundo, 112, San Nicolas, 80, San
Ysidro, 74, and another three-decker which is supposed to have
been the Mexicano, 112. At about 1.30 P.M., when the Culloden,
which had gradually overhauled the Spanish rear, had for ten
minutes sustained a renewed, but as yet not very close, engagement
with this same group of ships, the Captain opened fire upon her
gigantic opponents. Yet ere that Jervis, at 1.19 P.M., had signalled
" To take suitable stations for mutual support, and engage the enemy, as coming
up in succession."
1797.] SOASDINO THE "SAN NICOLAS" AND "SAN JOSEF." 313
to his rearmost ship, the Excellent, to come to the wind on the
larboard tack, and, in compliance, Collingwood had hauled sharp
up, so that, by 2.15 P.M., he had reached a station ahead of the
leading or weather portion of the British line. The Blenheim and
Prince George being then well up behind the Culloden, and there
being thus five British ships in a position to bar the way, the
Spanish plan was effectively frustrated. Indeed, the enemy had
SIR JAMES HAWKINS WHITSHED, BART., O.C.B., ADMIRAL OF THE FLEET.
(.From a lithograph by H. R. Cook, after the portrait by J. Northeote, painted when Sir James was
Bear-Admiral, 1799-1804.)
already relinquished the design of running to leeward of the British,
and had hauled upon the starboard tack.
" At about 2 P.M.," says James, " the Culloden had stretched so far ahead as to
cover the Captain from the heavy fire poured upon her by the Spanish four-decker
and her companions, as they hauled up and brought their-broadsides to bear. Of the
respite thus afforded to her, the Captain took immediate advantage, replenishing her
lockers with shot, and splicing and repairing her running rigging. Shortly afterwards
the Blenheim, passing also to windward of the Captain, afforded her a second respite,
which was taken advantage of as before. The two more immediate opponents of the
314 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
Captain and Culloden had been the San Ysidro and Salvador del Mundo : these, having
already lost some of their topmasts, and being otherwise in a crippled state, the
Blenheim, by a few of her heavy broadsides, sent staggering astern, to be cannonaded
afresh by the Prince Q-eorge, Orion, and other advancing ships At 2.26 P.M. the
Excellent, having been directed by signal to bear up, edged away, and at 2.35, arriving
abreast of the disabled Spanish three-decker, Salvador del Mundo, engaged the latter
upon her weather bow for a few minutes ; then passing on to the next Spanish ship in
succession, the San Ysidro, whose three topmasts had already been shot away. This
ship Captain Collingwood engaged closely on the lee beam until 2.53 P.M. ; when, after
a gallant defence in her crippled state from the fire of her former opponent, the San
Ysidro hauled down the Spanish, and hoisted the English flag ' Very soon after the
Excellent had quitted the Salvador del Mundo for the San Ysidro, the Irresistible and
Diadem commenced an attack upon the former, the 74 stationing herself upon the
weather bow, and the 64 upon the lee quarter, of the Spanish three-decker, then, with
her fore and main topmasts gone, and otherwise much disabled Observing the
Victory about to pass under her stern, and that the Barfleur was following close, the
Salvador del Mundo, whose mizen topmast had since shared the fate of the fore and
main, very judiciously hauled down her flag as soon as some of the Victory's bow guns 2
began to bear upon her .... At about 3.15 P.M. the Excellent .... came to close action
with the 80-gun ship San Nicolas, then with her fore topmast gone, and who, until the
Excellent arrived abreast of her to leeward, had been in hot action with the Captain.
Passing within ten feet of the San Nicolas's starboard side, the Excellent poured in a
destructive fire, and, in compliance with the signal then Hying, to fill and stand on, made
sail ahead. In luffing up to avoid Captain Collingwood's salute, the San Nicolas ran
foul of the San Josef, whose mizen mast had already been shot away, and who had
received considerable other damage .... As soon as the Excellent was sufficiently
advanced to be clear of her, the Captain luffed up as close to the wind as her shattered
condition would admit ; when her fore topmast, which had already been severely shot
through, fell over the side. In this unmanageable state, with her wheel shot away, and
all her sails, shrouds, and running rigging more or less cut; with the Blenheim ahead,
and the Culloden crippled astern, no alternative remained but to board the Spanish
two-decker. As a well-judged preparative, the Captain reopened, within less than
twenty yards, her larboard broadside, the heavy fire from which the San Nicolas
returned with spirit for several minutes, when the Captain suddenly put her helm
a-starboard, and, on coming to, hooked with her larboard cat-head the starboard
quarter-gallery of the San Nicolas, and, with her spritsail yard, the latter's main3
rigging." *
The account of the extraordinary feat which followed may be
given in Nelson's own words. He called for the boarders, and
ordered them to board the San Nicolas, on the port side of which
lay the San Josef, still foul of her consort.
" The soldiers of the 69th," wrote Nelson in a paper « which was published some time
afterwards, " with an alacrity which will ever do them credit, and Lieutenant Pearson
1 "But Captain Collingwood, disdaining the parade of taking possession of a
vanquished enemy, most gallantly pushed up, with every sail set, to save his old friend
and messmate, who was to appearance in a critical state." Nelson : ' A Few Remarks
relative to Myself,' etc.
2 It is doubtful whether she fired any of them at the three-decker.
5 Nelson says "the mizen rigging"; and such it obviously was.
4 James (ed. 1837), ii. 38-40.
0 ' Nav. Chron.,' ii. 500.
1797.]
NELSON'S ACCOUNT OF HIS EXPLOIT.
315
of the same regiment, were almost the foremost on this service : — the first man who
jumped into the enemy's mizen chains was Captain Berry, late my first lieutenant
(Captain Miller was in the very act of going also, but I directed him to remain) ; he
was supported from our sprit-sail yard, which hooked in the mizen rigging. A soldier
of the 69th regiment having broken the upper quarter-gallery window, I jumped in
myself, and was followed by others as fast as possible. I found the cabin doors
fastened, and some Spanish officers fired their pistols : but having broke open the doors,
the soldiers fired, and the Spanish Brigadier (Commodore with a distinguishing
pendant) fell, as retreating to the quarter-deck. I pushed immediately onwards for the
REAR-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS TROUBRIDGE, BART.
(From a drawing by W. Emm, after a picture by Sir Wm. Beecheij, E.A.)
quarter-deck, where I found Captain Berry in possession of the poop, and the Spanish
ensign hauling down. I passed with my people, and Lieutenant Pearson, on the
larboard gangway, to the forecastle, where I met two or three Spanish officers, prisoners
to my seamen : — they delivered me their swords. A fire of pistols, or muskets, opening
from the admiral's stern-gallery of the San Josef, I directed the soldiers to fire into her
stern ; and calling to Captain Miller, ordered him to send more men into the San Nicolas ;
and directed my people to board the first-rate, which was done in an instant, Captain
Berry assisting me into the main chains. At this moment a Spanish officer looked
over the quarter-deck rail, and said they surrendered. From this most welcome
intelligence, it was not long before I was on the quarter-deck, where the Spanish
316 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
captain, with a bow, presented me his sword, and said the admiral was dying of his
wounds. I asked him on his honour, if the ship was surrendered. He declared she was :
on which I gave him my hand, and desired him to call on his officers and ship's
company, and tell them of it : which he did : — and on the quarter-deck of a Spanish
first-rate, extravagant as the story may seem, did I receive the swords of vanquished
Spaniards : which, as I received, I gave to William Fearney, one of my bargemen, who
put them, with the greatest sang-froid, under his arm."
There is no doubt that Nelson believed that the surrender of the
San Josef was brought about chiefly if not entirely by the fact that
he boarded her from the San Nicolas ; but it is practically certain
that the immediate cause of the surrender, both of the San Nicolas
and of the San Josef, was the heavy fire to which, at the time, they
were being treated by the Prince George, and which was not, indeed,
suspended until the Captain hailed Parker's flagship to say that the
Spaniards had struck. Yet, even if such be the truth, it detracts
nothing from Nelson's dash and gallantry. He boarded, supposing
on each occasion that he was boarding a still unbeaten foe.
After having left the San Nicolas, the Excellent added her fire to
that which, by that time, the Blenheim, Orion, and Irresistible were
pouring into the Santisima Trinidad. The four-decker is said not
only to have struck, but to have actually hoisted British colours :
yet, be this as it may, she became no prize, for, relieved by two of
her van ships, which wore to her support, by the two vessels which
all day had been coming up from the west-south-west, and by the
approaching junction of the Spanish lee division, she at length got
clear of her foes. At 3.52 P.M., perceiving how many fresh ships
were coming up, Jervis signalled to his fleet to prepare to bring to,
in order to be ready to cover the four prizes and the disabled vessels.
At 4.15 P.M. the frigates were directed to take the prizes in tow ;
and at 4.39 the fleet was ordered to form close line ahead in wake of
the Victory. The action had then practically ceased, although as
late as 4.50 the Britannia and Orion exchanged some shot with the
ships which were covering the Santisima Trinidad.1
The numbers killed and wounded in each of the British ships
have already been given in a note. It should be explained that
the numbers returned as wounded included only the very severely
injured, and that, though the practice of omitting them was not
usual in the service, the less seriously hurt were not counted. With
these latter, the total of the wounded probably amounted to 400
1 Nelson, at 5 P.M., shifted his broad pennant from the disabled Captain to
the Irresistible.
1797.] BATTLE OF CAPE ST. VINCENT. 317
officers and men. The only officers killed were Major of Marines
William Norris (Captain), Lieut, of Marines George A. Livingstone
(Culloden), Midshipman James Goodench (Captain), and Boatswain
Peter Peffers (Excellent). The officers wounded were: Commodore
Nelson (bruised only), Lieutenants Andrew Thompson (Irresistible)
and Edward Libby (Blenheim) ; Master's Mates Hugh M'Kinnon
(Irresistible), Edward Augustus Down (Excellent), and Joseph
Wixon (Blenheim, mortally) ; Midshipmen Thomas Mansel (Orion),
William Balfour (Irresistible), and Thomas Lund (Captain) ; and
Boatswains James Peacock (Blenheim), and Carrington (Cap-
tain). The Captain was the only British ship that lost any mast;
but the Colossus, Culloden, Egmotit, and Blenheim all had masts and
spars badly wounded, and were severely cut up. Only about ten of
the Spanish vessels, exclusive of the prizes, appear to have been
seriously handled, the greatest sufferer being the Santisima
Trinidad, which, moreover, lost upwards of 200 people killed and
wounded. All the prizes lost masts ; and the casualties on board
them were : Salvador del Mundo, 42 killed, 124 wounded ; San
Ysidro, 29 killed, 63 wounded ; San Josef, 46 killed, 96 wounded ;
and San Nicolas, 144 killed, 59 wounded.
It was a great victory, but not, in the circumstances, a surprising
one. True, twenty-seven Spanish ships were opposed to the British
fifteen, and the numerical advantage of the Spaniards was even
greater in guns and men than it was in ships. But, while Jervis
commanded a highly disciplined and splendidly trained force, Don
Jose de Cordova had under his orders little better than a raw and
presently a panic-stricken mob of men. Some of his ships, with
complements ranging from 530 to 950 people, had on board but
60 or 80 seamen apiece, all the rest being soldiers and fresh
landsmen. The poor wretches fought courageously enough, but,
naturally, many of them lost their heads ; and no better testimony
of the general disorganisation can be cited than the fact that, after
the San Josef had been taken possession of, it was found that some
of the guns on the side on which she had been most hotly engaged
had still their tompions in them. The inexperience of the crews
was in no wise compensated for by any skill on the part of the
officers. From first to last the Spanish fleet was so much in
confusion that half the ships composing it could not use their guns
without inflicting more damage on their friends than on their foes.
The officers were as brave as gentlemen of their nationality com-
318
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1797.
monly are ; but, from highest to lowest, they were excelled by
Jervis's officers in knowledge, seamanship, coolness, and prescience.
Jervis himself, in boldly attacking what seemed to be so alarmingly
superior a force ; Troubridge, in leading with an undaunted front ;
and Nelson and Collingwood, in resourcefully doing the right thing
at the right moment, all contributed equally to the general result ;
yet so weak were the Spaniards that they must have given way
before almost any opponents bold enough to be blind to mere
numerical superiority and to lay on with dash, skill, and decision.
Indeed, the deed was done when it was shown that the Spaniards
were not feared.
Why then was the victory not more complete ? Why were only
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THE BATTLE OF CAPE ST. VINCENT, 1797.
(From an original lent by H£.H. Captain Prince Louis of Battenberg, B.N.)
four ships taken ? Why did Jervis allow his opponent to carry off
his disabled vessels, three or four of which were almost entirely
crippled ? It is difficult to reply. Night, it is true, was coming on
when Jervis at 5 P.M. stopped the pursuit, but, as James says, " it
was that very night which would have brought the two fleets nearer
to an equality. The greater the difficulties of manoeuvring, the
greater were the chances in favour of the British ; and, with 12
ships formed as British ships usually are formed, it is a question
whether, when the darkness of a February night added its horrors
to the destructive broadsides of a gallant and well-disciplined, though
numerically inferior enemy, the Spanish admiral would not have
abandoned the whole of his crippled ships to the conquerors."
During the night of February 14th, both fleets lay to in order to
repair damages, and at dawn on the 15th, the two were within sight
1797.] THE " SANTIS1MA TRINIDAD." 319
of one another in line of battle ahead on opposite tacks. The
Spaniards had the wind, and could have provoked a renewal of the
action ; but they contented themselves with bearing down at
2.30 P.M., and hauling their wind as soon as Jervis hauled his.
They then disappeared, and, on the afternoon of the 16th, the
British fleet and its prizes anchored in Lagos Bay. When last the
enemy was seen, his disabled four-decker, the Santisima Trinidad,
was distant from the main body, and in tow of a frigate. Jervis,
therefore, with a view to the possibility of picking her up, detached
from Lagos the Emerald, 36, Captain Velters Cornwall Berkeley ;
Minerve, 38, Captain George Cockburn ; Niger, 32, Captain Edward
James Foote ; Bonne Citoyenne, 20, Commander Charles Lindsay ; and
Raven, 18, Commander James Prowse (1), to look for her. The
little squadron sighted the Santisima Trinidad at 3 P.M. on Febru-
ary 20th, about eighty miles south-south-east of Cape St. Vincent ;
and Berkeley, who was senior officer, signalled for a chase. The
Emerald, Minerve, and Niger l were overhauling the enemy, when,
at about 6 P.M., Berkeley made a signal " to keep sight of the
enemy, or make known their motions by day or night," and then,
as the Emerald's log puts it, " only being answered by the Minerve,
wore ship to the northward." Why Berkeley behaved in this extra-
ordinary manner has never been satisfactorily explained. It has
been suggested that he had reason to believe that he could not count
upon the co-operation of the Bonne Citoyenne. But against this
theory are to be set the two facts that he never brought the Com-
mander of that ship to a court-martial, and that, although soon
after 6 P.M. he was joined by the Terpsichore, 32, Captain Eichard
Bowen, he still kept his ships headed to the northward, and so
presently lost sight of the disabled Spaniard. Bowen parted com-
pany almost immediately, and, whether by accident or design, found
the Santisima Trinidad at 7 P.M. on February 28th. On March 1st,
although he was then alone, he pluckily engaged her. He was
naturally unable to effect much against his huge antagonist, but he
nevertheless kept company with her until, off Cape Spartel, she fell
in with part of the Spanish fleet. It is perhaps unfair to draw
comparisons between the conduct of Berkeley 2 and that of Bowen ;
but it is difficult to avoid regretting that the motives of the former
for his mysterious action have never been made public, and that
1 The Haven had previously parted company.
2 Berkeley soon afterwards, as James says, " judiciously," resigned his command.
320 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
they are not by any means so obviously creditable as is Bowen's
gallantry.
On February 23rd, Sir John Jervis sailed from Lagos, where
he had landed his prisoners, for Lisbon. For his services, he was
created l Baron Jervis of Meaford and Earl St. Vincent, in the
peerage of Great Britain, and was granted a pension of £3000 a
year; Vice-Admiral Thompson* and Eear- Admiral Parker3 were
made Baronets ; Vice-Admiral Waldegrave 4 was rewarded with the
governorship of Newfoundland ; Nelson5 was rewarded with a K.B.,
and the freedom of the city of London ; and Captain Calder was
knighted. The thanks of both Houses were voted to the fleet, and
a gold medal was conferred upon each of the Flag-officers and
Captains. Collingwood sturdily refused to receive his, unless he
should first be given one for the Glorious First of June, on which
occasion, he said, he had equally done his duty. His country
honoured itself by sending him both medals, together with an
apology.
The unfortunate Spanish admirals and captains had to pay
heavily for the folly of their government in sending to sea a fleet
that was not fit to fight. Many of them were deprived of their rank ;
others were suspended ; and yet others were publicly reprimanded.
The defeated fleet took refuge in Cadiz, where Admiral Massaredo
assumed command of the twenty -six or twenty-eight sail of the line
that lay in the port.
Jervis, who had been reinforced, lost no time in blockading the
enemy. He left Lisbon on March 31st, and appeared off Cadiz on
April 4th. But he could not induce the Spaniards to risk another
general action, although, with a view to provoking them into coming
out and doing so, he bombarded the town on the night of July 3rd,
sending in the Thunder, bomb, 8, Lieutenant John Gourly, to throw
her 13 '5 in. shells into the place. The Thunder was covered by
gunboats, launches, and boats of the fleet, under the orders of
Nelson, who commanded the inshore squadron ; but, it being
presently discovered that her largest mortar was unserviceable, she
had to be withdrawn, protected by the fire of the Goliath, 74,
Captain Thomas Foley (3), Terpsichore, 32, Captain Eichard
1 On May 27th, 1797. 2 On June 23rd, 1797. 3 On June 24th, 1797.
* Subsequently created Lord Eadstock in the peerage of Ireland, December 29th,
1800.
6 Promoted to be Rear- Admiral on February 20th, six days after the battle.
1797.] NELSON OFF CADIZ. 321
Bowen, and Fox, cutter, 10, Lieutenant John Gibson. As she
retired, she was chased by gunboats and launches from the harbour,
and these were met by similar craft under the personal leadership of
Nelson, who, in a boat containing but sixteen hands all told, came
into close and fierce conflict with the barge of Don Miguel Tyrason,
manned with a crew of twenty-eight men. Eighteen of the
Spaniards were killed ; all the rest, including Tyrason, were
wounded and taken prisoners ; and, after the enemy had been
driven under the forts, the British retired with two mortar boats
and the barge, and with a loss of but one killed and twenty wounded.
Among the latter were Captain Thomas Francis Fremantle (Sea-
horse), Lieutenants William Selby (Ville de Paris), Henry Nathaniel
Eowe (Diadem), and Gregory Grant (Prince George), Master's Mate
Hugh Pearson (Barfleur), and Midshipman Eobert Tooley (Prince
George). Nelson's cockswain, John Sykes, who had stood with him
on the quarter-deck of the San Josef, was severely wounded while
defending the Rear-Admiral.
Another bombardment was effected on the night of July 5th,
Nelson again commanding. Three bombs, the Thunder, 8, Terror,
8, and Stromboli, 8, were employed, and were covered by the
Theseus, 74, Captain Ralph Willett Miller, the Terpsichore, 32,
Captain Eichard Bowen, and the Emerald, 36, Captain Thomas
Moutray Waller. Much damage was done, and part of the Spanish
fleet, apprehending a renewal of the firing, warped out of range on
the following day. As before, the small craft encountered one
another during the darkness ; but the British lost, in the desultory
fighting, only three killed and sixteen wounded, the latter including
Captain of Marines, Thomas Oldfield (Theseus), Lieutenants John
Collins (Victory), and John Hornsey (Seahorse), and Midshipmen
John Collier (Theseus), and John Stephenson (Audacious). A third
bombardment, planned for the night of the 8th, had to be relinquished
owing to the state of the weather.
While the blockade still went on, Lord St. Vincent determined
to make an effort for the capture of a rich galleon which, it was
rumoured, had arrived at Santa Cruz,1 Tenerife, from Manilla. The
1 Here, on May 29th, the boats of the Lively, 32, Captain Benjamin Hallowell, and
Minerve, 38, Captain George Cockburn, under the orders of Lieutenant Thomas
Masterman Hardy, first of the Minerve, had cut out in broad daylight, under a heavy
fire, the French corvette Mutine, 14. Hardy, and Midshipman John Edgar, with
thirteen men, were wounded in the affair, but no one was killed, and Hardy, for his
gallantry was made a Commander into the prize.
VOL. IV. T
322
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1707.
Commander-in-Chief , who perhaps for once underrated the difficulties
of an enterprise, entrusted the expedition to the orders of Bear-
Admiral Sir Horatio Nelson, who, when his force was complete, had
under him the following vessels :—
Ships.
Commanders.
Theseus .... 74
/Rear-Adm. Sir H. Nelson, K.B. (B.).
\Capt. Ralph Willett Miller.
OaUoden
74
Thomas Troubridge.
Zealous
74
Samuel Hood (2).
Leander '
50
Thomas Boulden Thompson.
Seahorse
38
Thomas Francis Fremantle.
Emerald
36
Thomas Moutray Waller.
Terpsichore. *
32
Richard Bowen.
Fox, cutter
10 Lieut. John Gibson.
and a mortar boat.
•
foamier joined on July '.24th.
2 Terpsichore joined on July 16th.
Nelson parted company on July 15th, and on the 20th arrived off
Tenerife, and on that night the Seahorse, Emerald, Terpsichore, and
Fox, with some of the boats of the squadron, endeavoured to land
men to seize a fort on the north-east side of the bay, but failed,
owing to adverse winds and currents. On the 22nd, the squadron
drew closer in, and, at night, succeeded in landing some men ; but,
as the heights were found to be strongly held, the people were
re-embarked. On the evening of the 24th, Nelson anchored his
squadron to the north-east of the town, and made a feint as if to
disembark a force in that direction ; but at 11 P.M. he put 700
seamen and Marines into his boats, 180 more into the Fox, and yet
another 75 into a captured provision boat, and, himself assuming the
command, pushed off in rough weather and thick darkness for the
mole head. At 1.30 A.M. on the 25th, the Fox and the boats
containing Nelson, Fremantle, Thompson, and, Bowen, as well as a
few other craft, got undiscovered within half gunshot of their
destination ; when suddenly an alarm was sounded and a heavy
fire was opened on them. The Fox was sunk, and with her went
down 97 men, including Lieutenant Gibson. Nelson was struck on
the right elbow, just as he was drawing his sword and jumping ashore
from his barge, and he had to be conveyed back to his ship.1 Another
shot sank Bowen's boat, drowning seven or eight people. Yet, in
spite of these disasters, that part of the British force landed and
carried the mole head, driving off in confusion the three or four
1 His right arm was immediately amputated.
1797.] NELSON AT SANTA CRVZ. 323
hundred men who had held it, and capturing and spiking six 24-
pounders mounted upon it. But a heavy fire of musketry and grape
was immediately afterwards directed upon the mole from the citadel
and houses near it, and the British were mowed down by scores, the
brave Bowen and his first lieutenant, George Thorpe, being among
the killed.
During this time the boats under Captain Troubridge, Captain
Waller, and others, unable, owing to the darkness and the surf, to
make the mole, had landed under a battery to the southward of the
citadel ; and Captains Hood and Miller subsequently landed further
to the south-west. Several boats, however, had to put back. Trou-
bridge and Waller, having collected a few men, advanced to the great
square of the town, where they expected to meet the Rear-Admiral
and the remaining Captains. They sent a summons to the citadel,
but, receiving no answer, they joined Captains Hood and Miller, and
resolved to make an attempt upon the citadel, although they had
lost all their scaling ladders. No sooner did they begin to move
than they discovered that the place was crowded with troops, and
that every street was commanded by field-pieces. To add to their
difficulties, most of their ammunition was wet, and nearly all their
boats were stove in. Unable, thus, either to advance or to retire,
Troubridge, with magnificent effrontery, sent Hood with a flag of
truce to the governor, to say that, if the Spaniards advanced, the
British would burn the town. At the same time, he offered to
capitulate on the following terms : the British to be allowed to
embark with their arms in their own boats, or, if these were
destroyed, in others to be furnished to them ; and the ships before
the town to molest it no further, and not to attack any of the Canary
Islands.
The Spanish governor : seems to have been taken captive by the
very audacity of these proposals, coming as they did from people who
were already practically at his mercy. Not only did he provide the
British with boats, and allow them to depart, but he also supplied
them with wine and biscuit, ordered that the wounded should be
received into his own hospital, and sent a message to Nelson to
the effect that the squadron was at liberty, during its stay, to send
on shore and purchase whatsoever refreshments it might need.
This lamentable but not inglorious affair, was very costly to the
squadron. In addition to Captain Bowen, and Lieutenants George
1 Don Juan Antonio Gutter!.
Y 2
324 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
Thorpe and John Gibson (Fox), Lieutenants John Weatherhead
(Theseus) and William Earnshaw (Leander), Lieutenants of
Marines, Eaby Kobinson (Leander) and William Basham (Emerald),
and twenty-three seamen and fourteen Marines were killed. Bear-
Admiral Nelson, Captain T. F. Fremantle, and T. B. Thompson,
Lieutenant John Douglas (2) (Seahorse), Midshipman Eobert Watts,
and eighty-five seamen and fifteen Marines were wounded. In
addition, ninety-seven seamen and Marines were drowned, and five
were reported missing.
The Mediterranean, which had been abandoned by the British in
the previous year, was not again effectively occupied by them during
1797. Nelson, as has been seen, having effected the evacuation of
Elba, passed the Strait in the middle of February ; and from that
moment, until November, scarcely a British frigate went east of
Gibraltar. Even in November, nothing approaching to a re-
occupation was attempted. Lord St. Vincent merely detached
from his fleet in the Tagus the Leander, 50, Captain Thomas
Boulden Thompson, the Hamadryad, 36, Captain Thomas Elphin-
stone, and a sloop, to Algier, to settle some disputes with the Dey ;
and, when the service had been executed, the little force withdrew.
This long abandonment was contemporary with a great and natural
increase of the French power on the Mediterranean coasts. Austria
and the Pope relinquished, for the time, the struggle with the
Republic ; which, by the Treaty of Campo Formio,1 acquired, besides
the Austrian Netherlands, Corfu, Zante, Cephalonia, and the other
Venetian islands south of the Gulf of Drin. The republic of Genoa,
moreover, had ceased to exist on June 6th, and, under the name of
Liguria, had become French. And, with the Ionian islands, France
had seized, and added to her navy, six Venetian 64-gun ships and
six frigates, beside other men-of-war which she had seized at the
capture of Venice in May. The islands, and the ships there, were
taken over without resistance, and garrisoned or manned by a
squadron from Toulon, under Eear- Admiral Brueys, reinforced by
a flotilla of transports under Captain G. F. J. Bourde. Brueys
returned to Toulon in November.
In the North Sea, the observation of the Dutch ports was, for
a time, almost put a stop to by the mutinies and disaffection in the
fleet. Towards the end of May, Admiral Duncan's effective force
was, in fact, reduced to two ships, the Venerable, 74, and the
1 October 17th, 1797.
1797.]
DUXCAN OFF THE DUTCH COAST.
325
Adamant, 50. Yet the gallant old officer did not hesitate to proceed
to, and maintain, his station off the Texel, where lay a Netherlands
fleet of fifteen sail of the line and 50-gun ships. By repeatedly
signalling, as if to ships in the offing, he conveyed to the Dutch the
impression that he was amply supported, and so induced them to
remain in harbour while he was anxiously awaiting reinforcements.
These began to join him in the shape of single ships and small
VICE-ADMIRAL SIB WILLIAM GEORGE FAIRFAX.
(Front an engraving by Ridley, 1801.)
groups in the second week of June; and at length Duncan was
again in a position to deal with the enemy. But, at the beginning
of October, being short of stores and having received a certain
amount of damage in boisterous weather, Duncan put into
Yarmouth road to revictual and refit, leaving Captain Henry
Trollope, of the Russell, 74, with the Adamant, 50, Beaulieu, 40,
Circe, 20, and Martin, 16, to observe the motions of the Dutch.
Early in the morning of October 9th, the hired armed lugger,
Black Joke, appeared at the back of Yarmouth sands with the signal
326
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[17H7.
flying for an enemy. Duncan succeeded in weighing before noon
with the eleven ships of the line then with him, and at once steered
across, with a fair wind, for his old station. Later in the day he was
joined by the Powerful, 74, Agincourt, 64, and Isis, 50 ; and on the
afternoon of the 10th, he was off the Texel, within which his scouts
counted twenty-two square-rigged vessels, chiefly merchantmen.
Trollope had informed him of the course which the Dutch fleet
had taken, and, in consequence, the British headed to the south-
ward, parallel with the shore. At 7 A.M. on the llth, the Russell,
Adamant, Beaulieu, which were in the south-west, signalled that
the enemy was in sight to leeward ; and at 8.30 A.M. the Dutch fleet
was visible in the indicated quarter. The two forces thus in presence
of one another are set forth below.
THE FLEETS IN THE ACTION OFF CAMPERDOWN, OCTOBER 11, 1797 ; indicating their
order, or intended order in line of battle, and showing the numbers killed and
wounded in each British ship, and the fate of each Dutch ship. (NOTE. — The
British starboard division led ; but several ships of both British divisions were out
of station. The Dutch line was as given.)
BRITISH.
DUTCH.
Ships.
CB
Commanders.
[* Killed or mortally -o a
wounded.] = S
5 ;s
Ships. ,.
g
a
.
^ «
Commanders. S 5-
[* Killed or mortally « ^
wounded.] i^w
HS
Jtussell ... 74
Capt. Henry Troll, .pc. .. 7 Gelijkheid. . 68
Com. H. A. Ruijsch. , T.
Director ... 64
,, William Uligh. . . 7 Jteschermer . 66
Capt. Hinxt.* 1 E.
Montagu . . 74
,, John Knight (2). 3 5 Hercules . . 64
Com. RuijsoLirt. T.
Veteran . .
'-' Monarch.
•£ Powerful . .
64
74
74
„ George Gregory. 4 21 AdmiraalT.il.)
IVice-Adm. Ukuanl| ]:e rriei J
^ Onslow (R). J. 36 100 '
Capt, Edward O'Brien.l rrf;*,;,/ 71
( „ William O'Brien) lnj/iewf . . 74
Drury. ) 10 '8
Capt. J. B. Zegera. T.
Vice-Adm. J. W. Del
Winter. 1 ..
Com. L. A\'. van Ros-[
sum.*
Mon mouth . .
^Affincourt . .
64
64
(Com. Jam s Walkeri
(2)artg. 1 '•> **
(Capt. John William-)
I son(l). ] '• •'
Staten Generaal 74
Wassenaar . 64
iKear-Adm. Samueti
• Storij. V E.
Com. A. Holland. T.
f Triumph . . I 74
/ „ William Essiug-)
ton. ) •"* j5
Matavier . . 56
,, Souter. E.
|Kear-Adm. J. A.j
1
{Admiral Adam IHm-j
Brutus ... 74
I BloijsvanTreslong.J. E.
Venerable . .
*
74
can (B). 1
Capt. \Villiam George! b2 Leijden . . 68
\Com. Polders. 1
„ J. D. Musquetier. E.
Fairfax Mart, rase . . 44
„ D. II. Kolff. E.
= ! Ardent . . .
64
( „ Richard Rundle) Cerberus . . 6*
„ Jacobson. E.
| Bedford. . .
74
I Burges.* J>
„ Sir Thomas Byur-l. 30 41 : J"Plter • • ''2
(V.-Adm. H.Reijntjes.) T
3 Lancaster . .
£ Betliqueux . .
64
N
„ John Wells. 3 18 Haarlem . . C8
„ John Ingl s (2). 25 78 Alkmaar . . 56
Capt. O. \Viggerts. ')'.
Com. J. W. Krafft. T.
w* Adamant
50
( „ William Hotham ) lie' ft . 54
i (91 / " "
Capt. G. Verdooren. T.
^Ilii .... 50
„ William Mitchell. 2 21 Atalante, brig 18
Com. B. Plet*z. E.
tteaulieu . . 40
< „ Francis Payer-) JIeMi" • • • 32
( „ Dumenil de Le-l v
I strille. j J1'
«?r«. . . . ! 28
I man. /
., Peter Halkett.
tlalathee, brig 18
Minerva . . 24
„ Riverij. E.
., Eijlbracht. E.
Martin . . .16
(Com. Hon. Charles) Ajax, brig . 18
Lieut. Arkenbout. E.
nose, hir. cutter 10
1 Paget. / Waakzatnuheiil 24
Lieut. Joseph Brodie. Enbuscade . 3li
Com. M. van. ^ierop. E.
„ J. Huijs. T.
King George, do. 12
Active, do. . . 12
Diliyent, do. . 6
Speculator, hir.) ,
lugger. . .] '
„ James Rains. liaplmi, brig . 18
,, J— Hamilton. Montiikendam 44
„ T— Dawson. Uaasje, adv.)
„ H— Hales. 'hMt • • • >
Lieut. Frederiks. E.
Com. Th. Lancester. J\
hieut. Hartingveld. E.
1797.] THE BATTLE OF OAMPERDOWN. 327
The Dutch had left the Texel at 10 A.M. on October 8th, with a
light breeze from east by north. According to French writers,
Admiral De Winter quitted port expressly to meet and fight
Duncan ; but it is upon the whole more probable that his im-
mediate object was to join hands with the French at Brest. Be
this as it may, Trollope discovered the Dutch that night, the wind
being then south-west, and the enemy to windward. De Winter
made for the mouth of the Maas, where he had expected to be joined
by a 64-gun ship ; but, not finding her, he stood to the westward,
still observed by Trollope. He made some efforts to drive off or
capture the little British force ; but on the night of the 10th, he
was obliged to recall his chasers upon learning that Duncan was
within about thirty miles of him ; and, getting his ships together,
he made, with a north-west wind, for a point off Kamperduin his
place of rendezvous.
At daylight on the llth, the Dutch were about eighteen miles off
Scheveningen in loose order. Soon afterwards, seeing Trollope's
signals to windward, and knowing from them that his enemy was
close at hand, De Winter ordered his captains to their stations,
and, to facilitate the junction of his rearmost ships, stood towards
the land. When the nearest coast bore east, about twelve miles, he
directed his fleet to haul to the wind on the starboard tack ; and, as
soon as he sighted Duncan in the north-west, he put about on the
port tack, formed a close line from south-west to north-east, and,
with main yards square, awaited the attack.
The British fleet, when first it had sight of the Dutch, was in
very straggling order, chiefly owing to the unequal sailing of the
ships. Duncan made his van ships shorten sail, and, at about
11.10 A.M., brought to on the port tack; but, observing a little
later that the Dutch, who kept their main topsails now shivering
and now full, were drawing in with the shore, he signalled in
quick succession ; for each ship to engage her opponent in the
enemy's line ; to bear up and sail large ; and for the van to attack
the enemy's rear. At 11.30, when the centre of the Dutch line
bore south-east, distant between four and five miles, the British
bore down, still, however, in straggling, and, indeed, in somewhat
confused order. At 11.53 A.M., Duncan signalled that he should
pass through the enemy's line and engage from leeward ; but, as the
weather was thick, this signal was not generally taken in. At about
12.5 P.M. there was substituted for it the signal for close action.
328 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
It was about 12.30, when the Monarcli, leading the larboard
division of the British fleet, cut through the Dutch line between
the Jupiter and the Haarlem, firing, as she did so, a broadside into
each, and then luffing up alongside the Jupiter, while the Powerful,
coming up, tackled the Haarlem. To leeward of his line of battle,
De Winter had stationed a subsidiary line of frigates and brigs ; and
two of these, the Monikendam and the Daphne,1 each seized the
BA.TTI_E OFF CAMPE.RDOWN.
//"?* Ocr"
^aovr /2-SO /?Af. ([/usr im.x ^ CBijJfeid
rtre 7~ivo BRITISH f~j.xasHtf>s HAO • I* *
THC !./*/£..) x; Ar
_. aeiaoj- <2Winerva
Circf m-
~~ A^T~* " T**uwiamnt#
^» -fmliuscacte
9 x; TtonarcX &
^ </ <2Z»ajof,ne
Gzxlff
^ 0
opportunity of pouring a raking fire into Vice-Admiral Onslow's
flagship as she rounded to. Both the small craft suffered severely
for their temerity in thus deliberately inviting attention from a ship
of the line. Most of the other vessels of the British larboard
division were close behind the leaders ; and, in a very few minutes,
the Dutch rear, with the exception of the three headmost ships 2 of
it, was very closely engaged. Those three ships were exposed only
to a more distant fire ; and it was to some extent owing to this that
1 James says that the brig was the Atalania, not the Daphne ; but he is mistaken.
The Atalanta was the headmost ship in the Dutch second line.
2 Brutus, Leijden, and Mars.
1797.] THE BATTLE OF CAMPEBDOWN. 329
they were, subsequently able to attempt to succour De Winter, and
that they ultimately escaped capture.
About eighteen minutes after the Monarch had broken the rear
of the Dutch line, the Venerable, first endeavouring to pass astern
of the Vrijheid, but being frustrated by the promptitude of the
Staten Generaal in closing the interval, put her helm to larboard,
and delivered such a broadside into the port quarter of Storij's
flagship as obliged her to bear up. The Venerable then ranged
along the lee side of the Vrijheid, while the Ardent engaged the
same vessel from windward. A little later, the Triumph got into
close action with the Wassenaar, and the Bedford with the Admiraal
Tjerk Hiddes De Vries and the Hercules. The last named presently
took fire ; and, although the flames were promptly extinguished, the
danger was at one moment so great that she had to throw all her
powder overboard. In the meantime she had lost her mizen mast ;
and, having no means of defence, she struck. In her encounter
with the Wassenaar the Triumph experienced no interruption ; and
she shortly compelled that vessel to surrender.1 She then passed
ahead towards the Vrijheid, which, though terribly mauled, was
still firing, and which, indeed, distantly assisted by ships from the
rear, had compelled the Venerable to haul off and wear round on
the starboard tack. Nor, until De Winter's flagship had defended
herself long and bravely, and, losing all her masts, had had her
starboard battery put out of action by their fall, did she haul down
her colours. She seems to have struck at about the same moment
as the Jupiter; and, with the surrender of these two flagships,
the action ceased. The British were then masters of seven ships
of the line, two 50's, and two frigates,2 or more than half the
strength of the Dutch fleet. To attempt to pursue the rest was
out of the question, for Duncan was already in but nine fathoms,
and the low land, between Kamperduin and Egmond, was only five
miles off.
It had been a most determined and sanguinary fight. On the
side of the Dutch, Bear-Admiral Johan Arnold Bloijs van Treslong,3
and Commander Souter,* and, on that of the British, Captain John
1 The Wassenaar, after striking, was fired at by a Dutch brig, which induced her
to rehoist her colours ; but she struck again later to the Russell.
2 Vrijheid, Jupiter, Qelijkheid, Admiraal De Vries, Haarlem, Hercules, Wassenaar,
Alkmaar, Delft, Monnikendam, and Enibuscade.
3 Condemned, but subsequently reinstated.
4 Broken and imprisoned.
330
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1797.
Williamson (I),1 were, it is true, afterwards charged with dereliction
of duty. But, upon the whole, and equally on both sides, the
combatants fought with a thoroughness and pertinacity which
recalled the hot work of the old Dutch wars. A full list of the
Dutch losses is not obtainable ; but it is known that, of killed alone,
there were 40 in the Gelijkheid, 43 in the Delft, 61 in the Jupiter,
50 in the frigate Monnikendam, and 58, besides 98 wounded, in the
Vrijheid. These figures suffice to indicate the gallantry of the
defence, and to prove that the victory was no easy one. As for
the captured ships, they were all, says James, "either dismasted
outright, or so injured in their masts that most of the latter fell, as
soon as the wind and sea, in the passage home, began to act power-
fully upon them. As to their hulls, the ships were like sieves, and
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THE BATTLE OF CAMPEKlJOWN, 1797.
(From an original lent by B.S.H. Captain Prince Louis of Baltenberrj, li.N.)
only worth bringing into port to be exhibited as trophies." The
Embnscade, driven upon the Dutch coast, was re-captured 2 by her
original owners ; the Monnikendam was wrecked off West Capelle ;
and the Delft, with many hands still in her, foundered in a storm 3
on the 14th. The other prizes reached British ports, and were all
added to the service, the Jupiter as the Camperdown, the Hercules
1 Convicted of disobedience to signals, and of not going into action, and sentenced
to be placed at the bottom of the post-list of 1797, and to be rendered incapable of
further service C.M. December 4th to January 1st. Captain Williamson, who was
acquitted of cowardice or disaffection, died in 1799.
2 Only to become again a British prize in August, 1799.
3 In striving to save the people from this disaster, Lieutenant Heiberg, late first of
the ship, and Lieutenant Charles Bullen, in charge of the prize, vied with one another
in gallantry. Heiberg perished ; Sullen, who only saved himself by swimming, died
Admiral Sir Charles Bullen in 1853.
'/// / >//
, S/f/'M/<S(f( . '/f'/'//f ,
. H*^,, ^. •
.~//SS/#SM
•.^.eL^.
1797.] LOSSES IN THE BATTLE. 331
as the Delft, and the rest under their own names, but none of them
were ever again fit for sea. Their old masters had effectively used
them up in that hard tussle.
The British ships also suffered very severely, but almost ex-
clusively in the hulls. The Dutch had not wasted time in efforts
to destroy rigging. They had fired low, and had generally reserved
their fire until it could hardly fail to tell. The Ardent had 98
round shot in or through her timbers. The Venerable, Bedford,
Belliqueux, Triumph, and Monarch, too, had been badly mauled ; but
no ship lost any more important spar than a foreyard. The casualties,
therefore, as will be seen on reference to the note above, were
relatively heavy, almost exactly ten per cent, of the whole number
of officers and men engaged in the British line being killed or
wounded. The officers killed were : Captain E. E. Burges (Ardent) ;
Lieutenants Francis Ferrett (Veteran), and Eobert Webster (Belli-
queux) ; Master Michael Dun (Ardent) ; Master's Mate James Milne
(Belliqueux), and four midshipmen, of whom two, J. P. Tindall
and Moyle Finlay, belonged to the Monarch. Among the wounded
officers were Captain Essington (Triumph), and Lieutenants Edward
Sneyd Clay and William Henry Douglas (Venerable), James Eetalick
(Monarch), George Keener (Bedford), Ulick Jennings (Powerful),
James Eose and John Sobriel (A rdent), Eobert England (Belliqueux),
Benjamin Morgan (Lancaster), Patrick Chapman and George Trollope
(Triumph), Ealph Sneyd (Montagu), and David Johnson (Russell).
The Dutch loss in officers, both by immediate death and by mortal
wounds, was equally heavy ; but it is not true that, as Mr. James
says, Admiral De Winter died in London during his captivity.1 On
the contrary, that gallant officer enjoyed many years of useful
activity after his exchange, receiving from King Louis the rank
of Marshal and the title of Graaf van Huessen, and, in 1810, taking
the oath of allegiance to Bonaparte, when the kingdom of Holland
was incorporated with the Empire.2
Admiral Duncan reached the Nore on October 16th. On the
1 James, ii. 72 (ed. 1837).
- Authorities for the battle of Caraperdown : Duncan's dispatch of October 13th ;
Journal of an Officer in 'Nav. Chron.,' iv.; 'Biography of Sir H. Trollope' in
U.S. Journal, 1840; 'Sententie' of Admiral De Winter; 'Volledige Verslag,' etc.,
(1797); Hear- Admiral C. Richardson in U.S. Magazine, 1844; ' Anecs. of Camper-
down' in U.S. Journal of 1841 ; Decree of Nat. Ass. of November »th ; ' Aanmerk.
van een Zee-Officier ' (1805) ; ' Leven van V.-Ad. Kuijsch ' ; ' Life of Duncan ' ; ' Voor-
loopig Bericht,' ete. ; Mins. of C.Ms., British and Dutch.
332 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797-
20th of the same month he was created Baron Duncan of Lundie,
and Viscount Duncan of Camperdown in the peerage of Great
Britain ; and, on the 30th, Vice-Admiral Onslow was made a
baronet, while, a little later, Captains Henry Trollope and William
George Fairfax were knighted. Duncan was further granted a
pension of £3000 a year for three lives. The city of London
presented its freedom to Duncan and Onslow, and to the former a
ADMIRAL SIB RICHARD OXSLOW, BART.
(From a lithograph bii D. Orme, 1805.)
sword costing 200 and to the latter one costing 100 guineas. The
thanks of both Houses were unanimously voted to the fleet ; gold
medals were granted to the Flag-officers, and to all the Captains,
except Captain Williamson, who had fought in the line ; most of
the first Lieutenants engaged were promoted ; and the King was only
prevented J by adverse winds from visiting the fleet and the prizes.
On December 19th, his Majesty went in state to St. Paul's to return
1 He embarked for the purpose in the Royal Charlotte on October 30th.
1797.]
CAPTURE OF TRINIDAD.
333
thanks for the three great naval victories which thus far had blessed
his arms since the beginning of the war.
The most important colonial expedition of the year 1797 was
the one which led to the capture of Trinidad. On the Leeward
Islands' station Rear-Admiral Henry Harvey (1) commanded, and,
in pursuance of instructions, he quitted Port Royal, Martinique, on
February 12th, with a squadron, on board of which was a body
of troops under Lieut. -General Sir Ralph Abercromby. At a
rendezvous off Carriacou, on the 14th, he picked up reinforcements,
and, on the 16th, made Trinidad, and steered for the Gulf of Paria
by way of Boca Grande. At 3.30 P.M., just as the British had
cleared the channel, they discovered at anchor, in a bay1 within,
a Spanish squadron of four sail of the line and a frigate.2 As the
entrance to the enemy's anchorage appeared to be well protected
by a battery of twenty guns and two mortars posted upon the
island of Gaspargrande, and as the day was already far advanced,
Harvey sent his transports, protected by the Arethusa, Thorn,
and Zebra, to find a berth about five miles from Port of Spain, and
ordered the Alarm, Favourite, and Victorieuse to keep under sail
between the enemy and Port of Spain, while, with his ships of the
line, he anchored within long gunshot of the Spanish ships and
batteries, with the intention of preventing the foe from escaping
during the night, and of taking measures in the morning for his
destruction. But, to the surprise of the British, the Spaniards,
1 Called Shaggaramus Bay in the dispatches.
2 SQUADRON OF KEAR-ADMIRAL HENRY HARVEY AT THE CAPTURE OF TRINIDAD,
FEBRUARY, 1797, AND LIST OF THE SPANISH SQUADRON BURNT OR TAKEN IN
SHAGGARAMUS BAY ON FEBRUARY 17™.
BBITISH.
SPANISH.
Ships.
Guns.
Commanders.
Ships.
Guns. Commanders.
)Rear-Adm. Henry Har-
iRear-Adm. Don S. R. de
Prince of Wales
98
vey (I) (R.).
Capt. John Harvey (2).
San Vincente 1
80 < Apodaca.
(Capt. Don G. Mendoza.
BeUona . .
74
„ George Wilson.
Oallardoi
74 „ Don. G. Sorondo.
Vengeance
74
{,, Thomas Macuamara
Russell.
Ai-roffante 1 .
>*"» Damaso?
74 „ Don R. Bonasa.
74 „ Don J. Jordan.
Invincible
74
f „ George William
Santa Cecilia 1
I 34 „ Don M. Urtesebal.
\ Cayley.
.Sfcipio ....
64
/ „ Charles Sydney
{ Davere. 1 Burnt.
2 Added to the Navy.
Arethusa
38
„ Thomas Wolley.
Alarm.
32
.. Edward Fellowes.
favourite
16
Com. James Athol Wood.
Zebra .
16
M
Thorn .
16
,, John Hamstead.
Victorieuse .
.„ I „ Edward Stirling
12 \ Dickson.
Terror, bomb
8 j „ Joseph Westbeach.
334 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
at about 2 A.M. on the 17th, began to set fire to their ships, and,
ere daylight, four out of the five were practically destroyed. The
fifth, the San Damaso, 74,1 escaped the flames, and was brought off
without resistance by the boats of the squadron, the Spaniards
having evacuated Gaspargrande island. This was occupied in the
early morning by part of the Queen's Eegiment, and, in the course of
the day, other troops were landed, without interruption, three miles
from Port of Spain, which was quietly entered that evening. On
the following day the island of Trinidad peacefully capitulated. The
Spaniards, it afterwards appeared, had burnt their ships because they
had barely half enough officers and men wherewith to man them.
From Trinidad Harvey proceeded to the attack of Puerto Eico,2
for which island he sailed on April 8th, having been joined by the
Alfred, 74, Captain Thomas Totty, Tamer, 38, Captain Thomas
Byam Martin, and a few smaller craft. He anchored off Congrejos
point on the 17th, and, on the following day, disembarked some troops
with but slight opposition ; but San Juan, upon being reconnoitred,
was found to be strongly fortified, and to be well provided with
floating defences ; and, after it had been bombarded without effect,
Abercromby, on the 30th, abandoned the enterprise and re-embarked
the troops, of whom he had lost during the operations 31 killed, 70
wounded, and 124 prisoners or missing. During the rest of the year,
the squadron on the Leeward Islands' station confined its efforts to
capturing the enemy's cruisers and protecting British trade.
Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (2), who commanded at Jamaica,
drove ashore 3 and obliged the destruction, near Jean Eabel, in San
Domingo, of the French frigate Harmonic, 44, on April 16th. It
was discovered that she had been sent to sea from Cape Fra^ois
to convoy thither a number of captured provision-laden American
vessels, which had been collected at Port au Paix and Jean Eabel
by French privateers. The Hennione, 32, Captain Hugh Pigot (2),
was accordingly despatched, with the Quebec, 32, Captain John
Cooke (2), Mermaid, 32, Captain Eobert Waller Otway, Drake, 16,
1 Brenton mistakenly calls her the San Domingo (i. 425.)
2 In the meantime, on March 22nd, the Hermione, 32, Captain Hugh Pigot (2), had
most pluckily sent in her boats, under Lieutenant* Samuel Reid and Archibald Douglas,
and had cut out or burnt from a bay under a small battery at the west end of Puerto
Rico, three French privateers and their twelve prizes. On the day following, Lieutenant
Reid again landed and dismantled the battery, all without the loss of a man. This
was six months before the mutiny which is described in the previous chapter.
3 By means of the Thunderer, 74, Captain William Ogilvy, and Valiant, 74.
Captain Edmund Crawley.
1797.] AFFAIRS AT JEAN BABEL AND CAPE BOXO. 335
Commander John Perkins, and Penelope, cutter, Lieutenant Daniel
Burdwood, to capture or destroy the craft in the last-named port.
Towards midnight on April 20th, the boats of the squadron
were sent in, and by 4 A.M. on the 21st, in spite of a heavy
musketry fire, a ship, three brigs, three schooners, and two sloops,
had been taken possession of, and were standing out with a land
breeze. On the night of April 6th, another resort of privateers, at
Cape Eoxo, San Domingo, was raided by the boats of the
Magicienne, 32, Captain William Henry Eicketts, and Regulus, 44,
Captain William Carthew, under the orders of Lieutenants John
Maples, and Alexander M'Beath, assisted by Lieutenants of Marines
Philip Luscombe Perry and George Frazer, and by other officers.
The harbour was entered, thirteen sail of square rigged vessels and
schooners lying in it were taken, sunk, or burnt, and two batteries
were destroyed. Both at Jean Eabel and at Cape Koxo the work
was done without the loss of any British life. On his way back to
Jamaica after his visit to Cape Eoxo, Captain Eicketts1 was able, on
the 22nd, to frustrate a French attack upon the port of Les Irois, near
Cape Tiburon, and to capture a privateer sloop and four schooners,
besides a number of field-pieces, and a quantity of ammunition and
supplies. In this service the Navy lost 4 killed and 11 wounded.
On other foreign stations no actions of much importance
happened in the course of 1797. In North America the Tribune, 44,
Captain Scory Barker, was unhappily lost, with nearly all hands,
in particularly sad circumstances, off Herring Cove, near Halifax,
November 16th ; and, at the Cape, as elsewhere, the mutinous
spirit then rife in the Navy manifested itself and had to be violently
repressed. But allusion to this will be found in the previous
chapter ; and such other occurrences as deserve mention may be
looked for in the following one.
In 1798, Admiral Lord Bridport, with several flag officers under
him, continued to command in the Channel; Admiral Lord Duncan,
in the North Sea ; and Admiral Lord St. Vincent, on the Mediter-
ranean and Lisbon station. Vice-Admiral Eobert Kingsmill com-
manded at Cork ; Vice-Admiral George Vandeput, in North
America ; Vice-Admiral the Hon. William Waldegrave, at New-
foundland ; Eear- Admiral Henry Harvey (1), at the Leeward Islands ;
Vice-Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (2) at Jamaica ; Eear- Admiral
Thomas Pringle, and later Eear-Admiral Sir Hugh Cloberry
1 Who then had also iu company the Fortune schooner.
336 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
Christian, at the Cape of Good Hope ; and Bear-Admiral Peter
Rainier, in the East Indies. At Portsmouth, Admiral Sir Peter
Parker, Bart.; at Plymouth, Admiral Sir Richard King (1), Bart.;
in the Downs, Admiral Joseph Peyton (1) ; and at the Nore, Vice-
Admiral Skeffington Lutwidge commanded.
On January 25th, Lord Bridport detached a division of the
Channel fleet, under Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Thompson, Bart., to
watch the French in the Bay of Biscay ; on April 9th, he detached
a smaller division, under Rear-Admiral Sir Roger Curtis, Bart., to
cruise off the coast of Ireland ; and, on April 12th, the Commander-
in-Chief, with the main body of the fleet, left St. Helen's for Brest.
On the 21st, at 11 A.M., as the fleet was standing across the Iroise l
on the port tack, with the wind N.E. by E., the look-out ships to
windward sighted and gave chase to two sail, distant about 12 miles
to the eastward. At 2 P.M., when the advanced British ships
were getting abreast of the strangers, a third and much larger
vessel was seen in the E.S.E. distant about 15 miles, working
up under the shore towards Brest. This was chased by the
Mars, 74, Captain Alexander Hood, Ramillies, 74, Captain Henry
Inman, and Jason, 38, Captain Charles Stirling, the only ships of
the fleet near enough to see her. At 6.20 P.M., the Ramillies
carried away her fore topmast and dropped astern ; but the Mars
continued to overhaul the French ship of the line — for such she was
seen to be — and also to outsail the Jason.
At 7.30 P.M., when the Penmarcks bore S.E.^E., distant about
7 miles, the enemy betrayed a design to make his escape through
the Passage du Raz. A little later the Mars went about on the
starboard tack ; and at 8.30 P.M., when Bee du Raz bore N. by E.
two or three miles, the Frenchman abandoned the effort to work
up against the current, and, dropping anchor, furled his sails, and
carried out a spring abaft, so as to be able to bring as heavy a fire as
possible to bear upon the Mars, then fast coming up. The enemy
was the Hercule, 74, Captain Louis L'Heritier, and was on her way
from Lorient, where she had been built, to join the Brest fleet.
At 8.45 P.M., the Mars, which had run the Jason2 nearly out of
sight, hauled up her courses, and, at 9.15, received and returned
the fire of the starboard broadside of the Hercule; but, prevented
1 The Iroise may be called the wide outer bay of Brest. It lies outside the fifty
fathom line, between Ushant and the peninsula of Douarnenez which ends in Point du Raz.
2 The Jason was still two miles away when the Hercule surrendered.
1708.]
THE " MASS " AND THE " HERCULE."
337
by the current from fighting to the best advantage under sail,
Hood, at 9.25, ranged a little ahead of his opponent, let go an
anchor, and dropped astern, the anchor on the port bow of the
Mars hooking the anchor on the starboard bow of the Hercule, so
that the two ships lay close, broadside to broadside. From that
time until 10.30, the well-matched 74's fought with equal despera-
tion ; and then, the Hercule having twice failed in efforts to board,
and having suffered terribly, hailed to announce her surrender.1
The damages of both vessels were chiefly confined to their hulls,
and the French ship, by the estimate of her own officers, had
lost 290 killed and wounded. The Mars also had lost heavily, but
far less so than her gallant foe. She had 30 killed or missing,2
including among the former, Captain Alexander Hood, Captain of
Marines Joseph White, and Midshipman James Blythe ; and 60
wounded, including Lieutenants George Argles and George Arnold
Ford, and Midshipman Thomas Southey. Hood3 was wounded
twenty minutes after the beginning of the action, by a ball in the
femoral artery, and died just after the enemy had submitted. The
force of the two ships is thus given by James :—
Mars.
Hercult.
Broadside guns . j t,°' (.g ,
89
985
Crew on board . . . . 634
680
Tons . 1,853
1,876
There was, therefore, little on paper to choose between the opponents ;
but, whereas the Mars, to quote Lord St. Vincent, was " an old-
commissioned, well-practised ship," the Hercule was brand-new, and
had only been twenty-four hours out of port. The command of
the Mars, after Hood's death, devolved on Lieutenant William
Butterfield, who was at once promoted to be a Commander.
The French Brest fleet, as a body, gave little trouble during 1798
to the British commanders in the Channel. It was kept in port,
perhaps as an object upon which the attention of Great Britain
might be expected to concentrate itself while the Egyptian aspira-
1 She was added to the Navy under her old name.
2 These had probably been knocked overboard during the French efforts to board.
3 Alexander Hood was a nephew of Lords Hood and Bridport ; born 1758 ;
Commander and Captain, 1781.
VOL. IV. Z
338 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
tions of France were developing themselves, perhaps as the nucleus of
a force with which a serious invasion of England was to be attempted.
Bonaparte himself apparently favoured the latter plan, for, in a letter1
of April 13th, 1798, he thus explained his views on the subject :—
" In our position we ought to fight England with success, and we can do so.
Whether we have j)eace or war, we ought to spend forty or fifty millions in re-
organising our navy. Our land army will be neither more nor less powerful in
consequence ; but, on the other hand, war will force England to make immense
preparations which will ruin her finances, destroy her commercial spirit, and completely
change the constitution and manners of her people. We ought to spend the whole
summer in getting ready our Brest fleet, in exercising our seamen in the roadstead, and
in finishing the vessels which are under construction at Rochefort, Lorient, and Brest.
If we put some energy into this business, we may hope to have, in September, thirty-
five ships2 at Brest, including the four or five which can be built at Lorient and
Rochefort.
" Towards the end of this month we shall have in the various ports of the Channel
nearly two hundred gunboats. These should be stationed at Cherbourg, Le Havre,
Boulogne, Dunquerque, and Ostend, and should be utilised throughout the summer for
training our soldiers. If we continue to grant to the Commission des Cotes de La
Manche 300,000 francs every ten days, we can effect the construction of two hundred
other boats, larger in size, and fit for the transport of horses. Thus we should have in
September four hundred gunboats at Boulogne and thirty-five ships of war at Brest.
By that time the Dutch should also have twelve ships of war in the Texel.
" In the Mediterranean we have ships of two kinds : twelve ships of French build
which, between now and September, can be supplemented by two new ones ; and nine
of Venetian construction. It would be possible, after (the accomplishment of the
objects of) the expedition which the government is projecting in the Mediterranean,
to send round the fourteen to Brest, and to retain in the Mediterranean only the nine
Venetian ships ; and thus, in the course of October or November, we should have at
Brest fifty men of war and nearly as many frigates.
" It would then be possible to transport to any desired spot in England 40,000 men,
without even fighting a naval action if the enemy should be in stronger force ; for,
while 40,000 men would threaten to cross in the four hundred gunboats and in as
many Boulogne fishing-boats, the Dutch squadron, with 10,000 men on board, would
threaten to land in Scotland. An invasion of England, carried out in that way, and
in the month of November or December, would be almost certainly successful.
England would exhaust herself by an effort which, though immense, would not protect
her against our invasion.
" The truth is that the expedition to the East will oblige the enemy to send six
additional ships of war to India, and perhaps twice as many frigates to the mouth of
the Red Sea. She would be forced to have from twenty-two to twenty-five ships at
the entrance to the Mediterranean ; sixty before Brest ; and twelve off the Texel : and
these would make a total of a hundred and three ships of war, besides those already in
America and India, and besides the ten or twelve 50-gun ships and the score of frigates
which she would have to keep ready to oppose the invasion from Boulogne. In the
meantime we should always be masters of the Mediterranean, seeing that we should
have there nine ships of Venetian build.
1 ' Victoires et Conquetes,' x. 375.
2 Bonaparte speaks of " vaisseaux de guerre,'' or simply " vaisseaux,'' when he
means " ships of the line."
1798.] THE INVASION FLOTILLA. o39
" There would be yet another way of augmenting our forces in that sea ; that is, by
making Spain cede three vessels of war and three frigates to the Ligurian Republic.
That republic can no longer be anything more t han a French department ; it possesses
more than 20,000 excellent seamen. It is excellent policy on the part of France to
favour the Ligurian Republic, and even to see to it that she shall possess a few skips
of war. Should difficulties be foreseen in inducing Spain to hand over to us or to the
Ligurian Republic three vessels of war, I think that we ourselves might usefully sell
to the Ligurian Republic three of the nine ships which we have taken from the
Venetians, insisting that the Republic shall construct three more for itself. AVe
should find that we had thus gained a good squadron manned by good seamen. With
the money which we should have from the Ligurians we might cause three good
vessels of our own construction to be built at Toulon ; for the ships of Venetian build
require as many sailors as a fine 74 ' ; and sailors are our weak point. In future
events which may occur, it will be much to our advantage that the three Italian
republics, which should balance the forces of the King of Naples and the Grand Duke
of Tuscany, shall have a stronger navy than that of the King of Naples."
But, although the Brest fleet lay beyond reach of attack, there
was plenty to occupy the attention of the British force in the
Channel during 1798. Since the autumn of 1797, all the harbours
along the coast, from Antwerp to Cherbourg, had been rapidly
filling with gun-vessels and flat-bottomed boats for the much
advertised invasion of England. The creation and maintenance
of this flotilla was the business of that Commission des Cotes de La
Manche of which Bonaparte spoke in the above letter. The
Commission consisted of General Andreossi, director-general, M.
Forfait,2 director, and Bear-Admiral La Crosse, inspector-general ;
and as local inspectors, under La Crosse, were Captains Gan-
teaume, Decres, Dumanoir Le Pelley, and de Casa Bianca. The flat-
bottomed boats, which were built by hundreds by order of the
commission, were popularly known as " bateaux a la Muskein,"
after an Antwerper named Muskein who had introduced the plans
of them to France ; but the plans themselves seem to have been the
work of the Swedish naval architect Chapman. As these boats, and
the seamen and soldiers who were intended to man them, accumu-
lated in the ports, it occurred to the French authorities that, pending
the sailing of the flotilla, parts of it might be usefully employed for
local purposes. It was, moreover, desirable to familiarise the men
with the vessels, and to prevent them from stagnating in idleness.
In the road of St. Vaast, within sight of La Hougue, lie the
two small islands of St. Marcou. They are three or four miles
1 Bonaparte apparently, therefore, contemplated the building at Toulon of only
60 or 64 gun ships. Otherwise it is hard to grasp his meaning.
2 Pierre A. L. Forfait, one of the most distinguished naval architects and marine
engineers of his time. Born, 1752; died, 1807.
z 2
340 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
distant from the shore, and near the route of coasters plying between
Le Havre and Cherbourg. As he considered they would form a good
base for harassing the traffic between those two ports, Captain Sir
William Sidney Smith, of the Diamond, 38, took possession of them
in July, 1795, without opposition ; and they were subsequently held
by a force of about 500 seamen and Marines, and placed under the
orders of Lieutenant Charles Papps Price, of the Badger, 4, a Dutch
hoy which had been purchased and armed for the service. It was
determined by the French to attempt the recapture of these islands.
On April 8th, the Diamond, 38, Captain Sir Eichard John Strachan,
and Hydra, 38, Captain Sir Francis Laforey, discovered in the
Eoad of Caen thirty-three flat-bottomed boats, which, accompanied
by a few gun-brigs and commanded by Muskein : in person, were on
their way from Le Havre to St. Marcou to oust the little garrison.
The British frigates worked up to the enemy and opened fire, but,
owing to the grounding of the Diamond, were unable to effect much
that night. On the following morning the flotilla proceeded to the
westward; but, upon the appearance in the offing of the Adamant >
50, Captain William Hotham (2), it ran back to the eastward, pursued
by the frigates, and finally took refuge in the Orne. There it was
in time joined by about 40 additional flats and armed fishing-boats,
and seven gun-brigs from Cherbourg ; and at length, quitting his
shelter, Captain Muskein, with his largely increased force, made his
way unobserved along the coast as far as the road of La Hougue,
where he lay, awaiting neap tides and calm weather, in order to
attack Lieutenant Price.
His opportunity came on the night of May 6th. The British
had warning of his approach ; but, owing to the utter absence of
wind, the Adamant, 50, E-ttrydice, 24, Captain John Talbot, and
Orestes, 18, Commander William Haggitt, the only cruisers in
the neighbourhood, could not get near the islands to co-operate
in their defence. In the darkness, the French, who brought up no
fewer than 52 craft, having on board five or six thousand men,
stationed themselves in the most advantageous positions ; and at
daybreak on the 7th the enemy's brigs were seen to be ranged at a
distance of about 350 yards from the British works, which instantly
opened fire upon them from the only 17 2 guns which would at first
bear. The French replied vigorously, and their flats advanced
1 Made capitaine de vaisseau in the French navy.
2 Six 24-pounders, two 6-pounders, four 4-pounders, two 32-pounder carronades,.
and three 24-pounder carronades. These had been borrowed from ships on the station^
1798.]
FRENCH REPULSE AT ST. MABCOU.
341
with great determination in order to land their men ; but, when six
or seven flats had been sunk, the rest were glad to retire. The loss
of the attacking force was never officially announced ; but one
French authority has put it at upwards of 1200 killed, drowned and
wounded. On the British side, but one man was killed, and only
four were wounded, in spite of the fact that the defence had been
exposed to the fire of upwards of 80 guns. As the enemy drew off,
the three British cruisers managed to get within range, but the calm
prevented them from cutting off the retreat of the flotilla. Lieu-
tenant Charles Papps Price, who commanded the whole position,
and Lieutenant Richard Bourne (1), of the Sandjiy, 5, who com-
manded the eastern island, were promoted for this service to be
Commanders.
But all the encounters which resulted from the threatened
invasion of England were not equally successful. In the spring
of the year it became known to the British government that very
many small craft were fitting at Flushing for the transport of
troops, and were about to be conveyed, by way of the Bruges
Canal, to Ostend and thence to Dunquerque. It was determined,1
if possible, to frustrate this plan by destroying the lock gates and
sluices at Ostend, and so rendering the canal useless ; and, for the
purpose, the naval force mentioned in the note 2 was entrusted to
Captain Home Eiggs Popham ; and a body of troops under Major
General Sir Eyre Coote was embarked in the vessels composing it.
and were on the western island. The work on the eastern island, where Lieutenant
Richard Bourne (1) commanded, mounted, among other guns, two 68-pounder
carronades ; but it could not do much until towards the close of the action.
1 Popham Papers, in Author's Coll.
2 EXPEDITION TO OSTEND, UNDER CAPTAIN POPHAM AND MAJOR-GENERAL
SIR EYKE COOTE, MAT, 1798 : —
ships.
s
P
O
Commanders.
Ships,
c
p
»
Commanders.
Expatition, flute (44;
26
28
28
20
24
14
14
12
18
16
18
IP
8
(Capt. Home Riggs Pop-
l ham.
„ Robert Winthrop.
,f Charles \Vhite.
,, James Bradby(2).
„ Henry Raper.
Com. William Urn-hall.
., John Mackellar.
„ Charles Apthorp.
„ Henry Bazely.
/ „ Norborne Thomp-
». son.
„ Richard Raggett.
„ William Brown.
.. Thomas Hand.
|
Jfecla, bomb .
Wolverine ....
8 Com
2 I.i 11
2
James Oughton.
. Lewis Murtlock.
I) Burgess.
Thomas Lowen.
William Elliott.
Mulkley Mack-
worth.
Thomas Gilbert.
Jeremiah Seavere.
Joseph Edmomlt.
Maurice William
Sucklicg.
Jofan Denis de
Vi«r€.
Vestal
Ariadne .
Champion . .
J/ebe, flute (38) . .
Mincrve. flute (43) .
Jiruiil, fliite (32) . .
Harpy, brig . . .
4
2{ •
2
2
2 ,
'{ '
i"
Crash*
Atpl ....
Vigilant ....
litter* . ...
Dart
Kite, brig . . . .
Tartarus, bomb .
1 Carrying ten 18-pr. carrouades, besides two long 24-prs.
342 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
The expedition assembled off Margate, sailed for the opposite
coast on May 14th, and anchored off Ostend at 1 A.M. on May 19th.
Although the weather was most unfavourable, all the troops,1 with
the exception of those on board the Minerve, which had parted
company and had not yet rejoined, were at once landed to the
north-east of the town without opposition. At about 4.15 A.M., the
Ostend batteries, having been alarmed, opened fire upon the nearest
British vessels, the Wolverine, Asp, and Biter, and, by about 8.30,
had so severely damaged the two former, that Popham signalled to
them to weigh and move further out. The Hecla and Tartarus had
already begun to shell the town and harbour ; and, upon the with-
drawal of the Wolverine and Asp, the Dart, Kite, and Harpy took their
places as nearly as the fact of its then being low tide would admit.
At 9.30 A.M. the Minerve rejoined ; and her Commander went
ashore by Popham's order to report her arrival to the general.
Lieut. -Colonel Ward, with part of the First Eegiment of Guards,
would also have hastened on shore from the Minerve, had he not
been stopped and dissuaded while on his way by the prudent
counsels of Captain James Bradby (2), of the Ariadne.
The lock gates and sluices, together with several gunboats, are
said to have been destroyed by the troops at 10.20 A.M. ; but at
noon, when it was sought to re-embark, the weather was found
to render the attempt perfectly hopeless. The British had, in
consequence, to remain ; and, being attacked on the 20th by the
French in force, they were obliged, after they had lost 65 killed
and wounded, to capitulate. Among those who surrendered was
Commander Mackellar, of the Minerve. It is doubtful whether
the objects to be attained justified the risks involved in this un-
fortunate expedition ; it is still more doubtful whether those
objects were attained, for the French deny the fact ; and it . is
certain that, whether the objects were attained or not, the troops
ought never to have been landed at a time when every indication
went to show that it would be difficult, if not impossible, to
re-embark them until after the lapse of some days.
Another action in which the invasion flotilla was concerned
took place on May 30th. Early in the morning of that day,
the Hydra, 38, Captain Sir Francis Laforey, the Vesuvius,
bomb, 8, Commander Eobert Lewis Fitzgerald, and the Trial,
cutter, 12, Lieutenant Henry Garrett, while standing in towards
1 About 1140 officers and meu, with six guns.
1798] HUMBERTS EXPEDITION TO IRELAND. 343
Le Havre to observe the preparations there, discovered the French
frigate Confiante, 36, Captain E. Pevrieux, which, accompanied by
the Vesuve, 20, and a cutter, was bound from Le Havre to Cherbourg.
The British ships chased the Frenchmen back towards Le Havre,
the Hydra warmly engaging the Confiante for about 50 minutes, at
the expiration of which time the latter ran herself ashore opposite
Beuzeval, and the Vesuve, harassed by the Vesuvius and Trial,
beached herself under a battery near the mouth of the Dives. On
the following morning the boats of the Hydra, under Lieutenants
George Acklom, and William Joseph Symons, burnt the Confiante,
which had been abandoned by her people ; but the Vesuve, being
refloated, escaped, and joined Muskein's gunboats and flats. These
lay at Sallenelle, so well protected by batteries that it was judged
useless to attempt to attack them. The destruction of the Confiante
was effected without any loss on the British side.
The disaffection in Ireland, which, at the end of 1796, had
encouraged the Directory to attempt to send French troops to the
island, developed, in 1798, into open rebellion. Apart from the fact
that the Eepublicans in Paris were, to a large extent, morally
responsible for the outbreak, and were, therefore, morally bound
to support it in every way, it was obviously to the advantage of
France to lose no opportunity of feeding and fanning a con-
flagration that could not but gravely preoccupy Great Britain,
and add immensely to her numerous anxieties. It cannot be said
that the Eepublic manifested great promptitude in proceeding to
the assistance of its unfortunate and over confiding pupils ; yet,
after much delay, it organised two independent expeditions, which
were to have sailed simultaneously, one from Eochefort and one
from Brest. Owing to lack of money at the latter port for the pay-
ment of the forces, the plan for the simultaneous departure of the two
squadrons was not carried out ; and the Rochefort division, which
had on board 1150 troops and 4 field-guns, under General Humbert,
with a quantity of ammunition, arms, and accoutrements, was the
first to leave. This division consisted of the following ships :—
ri ,1 An (Commodore Daniel Savary.
Concorde ... 40 (capt. Andrf Papin.
frandtise ... 36 „ J. L. Guillotin.
Medee .... 36 ., J. D. Coudin.
Venus .... 28 „ A. Senez.
Savary weighed from Aix road on August 6th, 1798, and, on
the 22nd of the same month, anchored off Kilcummin Head, at the
344 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
mouth of Killala Bay, in Mayo. That evening he disembarked his
troops, in face of a^very feeble resistance ; and, on September 7th,
having returned to France without sighting an enemy, anchored in
the mouth of the Gironde. On the following day, Humbert, after
having won some successes and marched halfway across Ireland,
was obliged to surrender to the British forces at Ballinamuck.
That Savary escaped the attention, both going and returning, of
the very numerous British line-of-battle ships and cruisers in the
Bay and at the mouth of the Channel, and of the considerable
squadron of frigates on the Irish station, is, upon the whole,
surprising ; but it must be borne in mind that the expedition was
one which, in itself, was almost entirely impotent either for good or
for evil. The squadron was not strong enough to defend itself
against any but the smallest naval flotilla ; the corps of Humbert
was not strong enough by itself to meet a couple of British
regiments. The raid could have produced effect only by evasion
in the first place, and by powerful Irish co-operation in the second.
A serious invasion is a different affair altogether. It cannot be
organised in holes and corners ; it cannot move with the secrecy
and speed of a little frigate squadron ; and it cannot afford to
neglect a " potential fleet." Therefore, although Savary went and
returned unobserved, and although Humbert was, as it were, flung
ashore to shift for himself, it by no means follows that, had Savary
had a more formidable squadron, and Humbert a force of more
independent character, the expedition would have enjoyed even that
very qualified degree of success which actually attended it. That
such is the case is shown by the history of the second French
expedition of 1798 to Ireland.
This was a much more serious expedition, consisting, as it did,
of about 3000 troops under Generals Menage and Hardy, a number
of field and siege guns, and a vast quantity of stores, embarked in
the ships named below :—
//0,.;,e i 74 /Commodore J. B. F. Bompart.
-iJL/L/te . . . . I * i /i i. T\ -i r •» r • i
\Capt. D. M. Maistral.
Romaine ... 40 M. C. Bergevin.
A. J. Segond.
Loire .... 40
Jmmortalite . . 40
... 36
Bellone. ... 36
Resolue ... 36
Emlmsca.de . . 36
Semillaiite. . . 36
Siche . 36
J. F. Legrand.
L. de Peronne.
L. L. Jacob.
J. P. Bergeau.
N. Clement de La Ronciere.
M. A. Lacouture.
Lieut. J. M. P. La Bastard.
' Ex Pegase. Renamed in houour of General Hoche, who had died at Wetzlar on September 18th, 179V.
1798.] BOMPARTS EXPEDITION TO IRELAND. 345
Bompart sailed from Brest on the evening of September 16th,
hoping to get out unobserved during the night by way of the
Passage du Eaz. But, at daylight on the 17th, he was seen by
the Boadicea, 38, Captain Bichard Goodwin Keats, Etlialion, 38,
Captain George Countess, and Sylph, 18, Commander John
Chambers White, cruisers belonging to the Channel fleet. Keats
at once went northward to communicate with Lord Bridport, and
Countess and White kept company with the French and watched
their motions. On the 18th, at 2 A.M., the Ethalion and Sylph
were joined by another cruiser, the Amelia, 44, Captain the Hon.
Charles Herbert. That morning the French, after working up as if
they intended to make Lorient, chased the British frigates, but
without success. They then steered as if they might be bound for
the West Indies. On the 20th, the Anson, 44, Captain Philip
Charles Durham, joined Countess. At noon that day the British
were in latitude 46° 27' N., and longitude 5° 3' W., and the French
were nearly hull down to the S.W. by S. At noon on the 22nd,
Bompart was seen to be steering W.N.W., and, in the afternoon of
the 23rd, Countess, having no longer much doubt as to the real
destination of the foe, sent the Sylph to warn the Commander-in-
Chief on the Irish station.
The three British frigates kept the enemy in sight until the
evening of October 4th, and then, the weather being dirty and there
springing up a gale from the S.S.E., they hauled up. On the 7th,
the Amelia parted company ; on the 9th, the Anson rolled away
her main topmast and mizen top-gallant-mast ; and on the llth
Countess and Durham joined the squadron of Commodore Sir John
Borlase Warren off the coast of Donegal.
Warren had been despatched from Cawsand Bay on September
23rd, when it became known that Bompart had sailed, and had
made direct for Achill Head, it being supposed that the French, if
bound for Ireland, would steer for some point not very far distant
from that at which Humbert had landed. He had been joined on
the 10th by two frigates, which had left Lough Swilly in con-
sequence of the intelligence brought by the Sylph, and one of which,
the Doris, 36, Captain Lord Eanelagh, he immediately detached
to warn the coast. On the following day, reinforced by Countess
and Durham, his squadron consisted of : —
346 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
Canada ... 74 Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren.
Foudroyant . . 80 Capt. Sir Thomas Byard.
Robust . 74 Edward Thornbrough.
Magnanime . . 44
Anson .... 44
Amelia ... 44
Etlialion ... 38
Melampus ... 36
Hon. Michael de Courcy (1).
Philip Charles Durham.
Hon. Charles Herbert.
George Countess.
Graham Moore.
It had, in fact, been intended by the French to disembark in
Killala Bay ; but, it not being known what had become of Humbert,
and it being imagined that he would be found somewhat more to
the northward, it was determined to attempt to land in Lough
Swilly. On the llth, at noon, however, Bompart was on his way
thither, and was bearing up for Tory Island, when his leading ship,
the Immortalite, signalled the appearance of the British to leeward.
Bompart, in consequence, eventually bore away to the south-west,
intending to land his troops at any point where occasion should
offer. Warren, on learning of the presence of the enemy, instantly
ordered a general chase, and directed his ships " to form in
succession as they arrived up with the enemy." That night
it blew very hard from N.N.W. ; and, while the Anson carried
away her mizen-mast, main-yard, and main-topsail yard, the
Hoche, still more unfortunate, lost her main-topmast and her
fore and mizen top-gallantmasts, and the Eesolue sprang a bad
leak. Soon after 5.30 A.M. on the 12th, when the two squadrons
were again able to see one another, the following were, according
to James, their relative positions : —
" The French squadron, loosely formed in two rather distant lines, with the Hoclie,
who had bent herself a new mainsail, in the centre of the second line, was standing to
the south-west, the wind, as before, from the north-north-west, but now very moderate.
Right astern, at the distance of about four miles, were the Robust and Magnanime ;
about a point on the lee quarter, at a somewhat greater distance, the Amelia ; a little
further forward in that direction, and at about the same distance, the Melampus; a
little before the lee beam, at the distance of seven or eight miles, the Foudroyant ; and
on the lee bow, about a mile nearer, the Canada.1 The Anson, at this time, was not
in sight of either squadron. Consequently, M. Bompart, in his crippled state, the wind
being in the north-west, found every avenue of escape shut against him, except the
south-west, the direction in which he was steering."
By 7 A.M., M. Bompart had formed his ships in a single
straggling line ahead, the order being : Semillante, Bomaine,
Bellone, Immortalite, Loire, Hoche, Coquille, Embuscade. The
Eesolue had previously gone in shore as a precautionary measure,
1 The position of the Ethalion is not here given. She seems to have been near
the Amelia.
1798.]
WARREN'S ACTION WITH BOMPART.
347
on account of her leakiness ; and the Biche had been sent after her
with orders. Warren was thus in every way superior to his enemy,
and could have easily afforded to keep flying the signal for a general
chase; but, instead, he formed line of battle, directing the Robust
to lead, " and the rest of the ships to form in succession in the rear
of the van." This order brought the Robust, which was followed by
the Magnanime, within long-range stern fire of the Embuscade and
Coquille at about 7.10 A.M. About fifteen minutes later,1 the Robust,
having returned the fire of the two Frenchmen, hauled up her
mainsail, and, taking in her spanker, bore down to leeward of
them. By 8.50 A.M., she closed in this manner with the Hoche,
and began a hot action with her, broadside to broadside, checking
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF WARREN'S ACTION, OCT. 12TH, 179H.
(From an original lent bij H.S.H. Gift. Prince Louis of Baltenbcrg, R.N.)
her way to keep alongside of the enemy. The Magnanime engaged
the Embuscade and Coquille, and, passing on to leeward of the
Robust, had to starboard her helm to clear the latter. The Loire,
Immortalite, and Bellone bore out of line to rake her as she did so ;
but they were soon driven to resume their south-west course, the
Foudroyant, Amelia, and Ethalion then coming up. These ships,
as well as the Melampus 2 and Canada, all helped more or less to
distress the Hoche, which at 10.50 A.M., after a brilliant defence,
struck.3 The Embuscade, badly treated first by the Magnanime
1 /.«'., at 7.23 A.M., when the Rosses bore from the Canada, S.S.W., distant
fifteen miles.
2 Captain Moore either did not see, or neglected, Warren's signal to form line, and
so got into action much sooner than he could otherwise have done.
3 In the Hock? was Wolfe Tone, one of the chiefs of the Irish insurgents.
348 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
and afterwards by the Foudroyant, surrendered at 11.30 to the
Magnanime, which, having herself suffered severely, remained by
her prize. The other British ships, with the exception of the
Robust, which was disabled, and the Anson, which was still
struggling up from the south-east, chased vigorously; the results
being that the Coquille struck in about an hour and a half, and
that the Bellone, after having made a desperate resistance to the
Foudroyant and Melampus in succession, hauled down to the
Etlialion, but not until she had fought her for very nearly two
hours. The other French vessels escaped for the moment, and, as
they got away, engaged the Anson, and inflicted considerable damage
upon her.
The British losses were as follows : Canada, 1 wounded
(mortally); Foudroyant, 9 wounded ; Eobust, 10 killed, 40 wounded ;
Magnanime, 1 wounded ; Anson, 2 killed, 13 wounded ; Etlialion,
1 killed, 4 wounded ; and Melampus, 1 wounded ; total, 13 killed,
and 75 wounded. No one in the Amelia was hurt, and the only
British officers injured were Lieutenant David Colby, and Lieu-
tenant of Marines William Cottle, both of the Robust. This was,
all things considered, a very slight loss ; for the French had fought
well. Of the prizes, the Hoche had 270 killed and wounded ; the
Embuscade, 15 killed and 26 wounded ; the Coquille, 18 killed and
31 wounded ; and the Bellone, 35 * killed and wounded. The Hoche
(renamed Donegal), Bellone (renamed Proserpine), and Embuscade,
were added to the Eoyal Navy. The Coquille probably would have
been, had she not been accidentally burnt at Plymouth on
December 14th, 1798.
It can hardly be said that Warren's conduct of this little action
was particularly brilliant, or that his subsequent dispositions were
particularly wise ; for, in consequence of his having ordered the
Robust, which was seriously crippled aloft, to tow the still more
disabled Hoche into Lough Swilly, he narrowly escaped losing the
largest of his prizes. Indeed, had not the Doris, 36, Captain Lord
Eanelagh, come to the Robust's assistance, and had not the crew of
the Hoche most loyally worked to save their ship for her captors, the
74 must in all probability have been abandoned, or retaken. Yet
the service rendered was, after all, no small one ; and Sir John, his
officers, and men richly deserved the thanks which were voted to
1 This is the number given in the French reports. Some British reports put
it at 65.
1798.] CAPTURE OF BOMPABT'S FRIGATES. 34£>
them by both Houses. The action seems also to have won pro-
motion for Lieutenants David Colby (Robust), George Sayer (2)
(Ethalion), and William James Turquand * (Canada).
The five French frigates which made off to leeward were chased
by the Canada, Foudroyant, and Melampus. At about midnight on
the 13th, the Melampus sighted the ImmortalitianA Eesolue, running
out of St. John's Bay before a fresh wind ; and at 1 A.M. on the
14th she succeeded in bringing to action the latter frigate, which,
after attempting a feeble reply to a few broadsides, surrendered,
having lost ten killed and several wounded. She was making four
feet of water an hour,2 and she appears to have had some of her
maindeck guns housed, and to have been unable to fight them. The
Melampus, which, it should be remembered, was of about twice the
Eesolue's force,3 and which had no one hurt, was in a condition to
at once engage the Immortattte, had that ship been still at hand.
But unable to near her consort, she had prudently made off.
Two other frigates of M. Bompart's squadron, the Semillante
and Loire, were sighted on the morning of October 15th by the
Eevolutionnaire, 38, Captain Thomas Twysden, Mermaid, 32, Captain
James Newman Newman, and Kangaroo, 18, Commander Edward
Brace, off the mouth of Blacksod Bay, and, after having been chased
before the wind, separated. The Eevolutionnaire, which followed
one, lost her in the evening, and saw her no more. The Mermaid
and Kangaroo pursued the other, and also lost her, but found her
again at dawn on the 16th, and renewed the chase. This one was
the Loire. At 3 P.M. the Kangaroo* got up with her, and most
pluckily engaged, until she lost her fore-topmast and had her fore-
mast badly wounded. She then had to drop astern. At daybreak on
the 17th, the Loire shortened sail to allow the Mermaid, which was
then alone, to come up ; and at 6.45 A.M., the two frigates went off
together in hot action nearly before the wind. After an engagement
of two hours and a half, the Loire sensibly slackened her fire, and
Captain Newman had given orders to run athwart the hawse of his
sorely crippled opponent, when the Mermaid lost her mizen-mast by
the board, the falling wreckage disabling several of her after guns.
Soon afterwards she also lost her main-topruast, and, being in many
1 Drowned in command of the Hound, 18, in September, 1800.
2 Chiefly in consequence of the leak already mentioned.
3 The Melampus carried 24'e, and the Eesolue only 12-prs.
4 She carried sixteen 32-pr. carronades and two long 6-prs.
350 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
other ways terribly mauled, she had to discontinue the action ;
whereupon the enemy put before the wind and made off. The
gallant Mermaid1 lost 4 killed and 13 wounded. We know from
French sources that she inflicted very severe damage upon her
opponent ; and, indeed, she must have done so in order to induce
an officer like Captain Segond 2 to quit so small and so crippled a
foe as the British frigate. But the Loire was not to escape. At
daybreak on the 18th, being by that time without a main as well as
without a fore-topmast, she found herself to leeward of the Anson,
44, Captain Philip Charles Durham, and the Kangaroo. The Anson
was as crippled as the Loire. The Kangaroo, since the 16th, had
got up a new fore-topmast and made good her other damages. An
action between the two larger vessels began at 10.30 A.M. ; and at
11.45 A.M., when they had almost completely disabled one another,
the brig was able to throw the weight of her broadside into the scale
and to decide the issue. When the Loire struck, she had six feet of
water in her hold, and, according to French returns, had 46 killed
and 71 wounded. The Anson lost but 2 killed and 13 wounded, and
the Kangaroo had no one hurt. Both the Loire 3 and the Besolue
were added to the Navy.
Yet another of M. Bompart's vessels never returned to a French
port, The Immortalite, while making for Brest, and, in fact, while
nearing it, was fallen in with, on October 20th, by the Fishguard, 38,
Captain Thomas Byam Martin, a frigate of fairly matched force."
An action began at 12.30 P.M., and, although the Fishguard had at
one time to drop astern, and was, towards the conclusion, half full
of water, she obliged her opponent to strike at about 3 P.M., after
having reduced her to a sinking state and killed or wounded 115 of
her people, including Captain Legrand, who fell fighting his ship
most gallantly. The Fishguard's loss was 10 killed and 26 wounded.
1 She was only a 12-pr. 32-gun frigate. The Loire, a 40, carried 18-prs. The
weight of broadside was: Mermaid, 252 Ibs; Loire, 442 Ibs. ; and the tonnage was :
Mermaid, 693 ; Loin-, 1100.
2 Born 1769 ; died 1813. Upon his return to France, after his captivity, he was
not received with favour, on account of his intolerance of discipline ; and in 1803 he
resigned his commission in disgust. At one time he proposed to the Minister of
Marine a romantic scheme for kidnapping George III. from Weymouth.
3 Guerin, in his anxiety to magnify Second's defence, says : " Quant a La Loire,
elle ne tarda pas a couler bas." On the contrary, she was of much service to her new
masters.
* Fishguard: broadside guns, 23; weight of broadside, 425 Ibs.; crew, 284;
tons, 1182. Immortalite : broadside guns, 21 ; weight of broadside, 450 Ibs. ;
crew, 330 ; tons, 1010.
1798.] RE-OCCUPATION OF THE MEDITERRANEAN. 351
The prize was purchased for the British service, and refitted as
an 18-pr.1 36-gun frigate. The Fishguard's first lieutenant, John
Surnian Garden,2 was promoted.
Of M. Bompart's remaining ships, the Romaine, after having
communicated with the Irish coast, surrendered all idea of landing
troops, and returned to Brest. On her way thither she picked up
the Biche ; and the two vessels anchored in their port of destination
on October 23rd. The Semillante reached Lorient.
In the meanwhile much anxiety had arisen in France as to the
fate of Humbert and Bompart ; and, on October 12th, Commodore
Savary had been despatched from Eochefort, with his old squadron,
consisting of the Concorde, Medee, Franchise, and Venus, to discover
what had happened to his compatriots. He was so fortunate as to
make Sligo Bay, on the 27th, without adventure ; and, learning of
the fate of his friends, he at once headed again for home. On the
28th, 29th, and 30th he was chased by the Ccesar, 80, Captain
EoddamHome, Terrible, 70, Captain Sir Eichard Hussey Bickerton,
Bart., and Melpomene, 38, Captain Sir Charles Hamilton ; but he
succeeded in escaping from them and in getting back safely to
Eochefort.
After his misfortune at Santa Cruz in July, 1797, Nelson
returned to England to allow his wound to heal, and to recover his
health ; and he did not rejoin the fleet off Cadiz until April 29th,
1798. During his absence, the Mediterranean remained practically
abandoned by the British. But, at about the time of his return, the
Admiralty became very anxious concerning the object of the pre-
parations which were being made by the French at Toulon ; and
orders were accordingly sent to Lord St. Vincent to detach Nelson 3
with a few ships to endeavour to discover what was going forward.
In pursuance of these orders, Nelson, with his flag in the Vanguard,
74, Captain Edward Berry, parted company on May 2nd, and, on
the 4th, reached Gibraltar. There he found, and took under his
command the Alexander, 74, Captain Alexander John Ball, Orion,
74, Captain Sir James Saumarez, Kt., Emerald, 36, Captain Thomas
Moutray Waller, Terpsichore, 32, Captain William Hall Gage, and
Bonne Citoyenne, 20, Commander Eichard Eetalick. With these he
1 Her 24-prs. were deemed too heavy for her.
2 He died, an Admiral on the retired list, in 1858, aged 87.
3 Unless, indeed, St. Vincent saw fit to go himself. The selection of Nelson gave
great umbrage to Rear-Admirals Sir William Parker (1), Bart., and Sir John Orde, Bart.,
both of whom were with the fleet, and both of whom were Nelson's seniors.
352 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
proceeded on May 9th. On the 17th, when off Cape Sicie, he
obtained news that there were in Toulon nineteen sail of the line, of
which fifteen were ready for sea, and that an immense body of
troops, under Bonaparte, lay ready to embark for an unknown
destination. Very early in the morning of the 21st the squadron
suffered severely in a gale, south of Hyeres, and, in consequence,
the Emerald, Terpsichore and Bonne Citoyenne lost company.1 The
Vanguard, much crippled, towed by the Alexander and accompanied
by the Orion, made for the coast of Sardinia, and, on the 22nd,
anchored in the road of San Pietro, where she refitted.
The genesis of the plan of Bonaparte's Egyptian campaign is
thus summarised by James : —
" During the negotiations at Campo-Formio, in the summer of 1797, General
Bonaparte took away from the Ambrosian Library at Milan all the books he could find
on subjects connected with the East ; and, on their being brought to Paris, marginal
notes were discovered in every page that treated specially on Egypt. Hence, it has
been inferred that Bonaparte was, even at this time, ruminating upon the plan in the
attempted execution of which his military fame subsequently received so serious a
check. ... At all events, in the early months of the year 1798, he submitted the
plan of a campaign in Egypt to the Directory, and, on the 5th of March, was appointed
its commander-in-chief. ' Les ministres de la Guerre, de la Marine, et des Finances,'
proceeds the letter of appointment, ' sont prevenus de se conformer aux instructions que
vous leur transmettrez sur ce point important dont votre patriotisme a le secret, et dont
le Directoire ne pouvait pas mieux confier le succes qu'a votre genie et a votre amour
pour la vraie gloire.' "
Bonaparte's original view seems to have been that the Ottoman
Empire was likely to crumble to pieces in his day, and that France
ought either to sustain it, or to take a share in it.2 He next acquired
the belief that if, at the peace, the Cape of Good Hope should be
confirmed to Great Britain, Egypt \vould form a satisfactory com-
pensation for France,3 and that any attempt to sustain the Ottoman
Empire was vain.* Later still he undoubtedly fancied that he saw
in Egypt the door to a career of world-wide conquest similar to that
of Alexander, and, above all, the way to India and to Great Britain's
position there. Yet, although he could say, " Let us concentrate
all our activity upon the navy, and destroy England," 5 he was
capable of embarking upon his Egyptian expedition without having
first reflected upon the elementary principles of sea power, and of
landing his army without paying the slightest attention to the risks
1 Owing, apparently, to the assumption of their Captains that the Vanguard was so-
seriously damaged that she must return to Gibraltar.
2 ' Corr. de Nap.' Aug. 16, 1797. s Ibid., iii. 392.
4 Ibid., iii. 313. « Ibid., iii. 520.
1798.] THE FRENCH EXPEDITION TO EGYPT. 353
to which he was exposed by doing so while a "potential" fleet
remained to threaten his communications. Had not Napoleon been
thus blind upon a single point, he might perhaps have attained all
his ambitions.
In pursuance of his directions, immense preparations were made
in most of the Mediterranean ports then under French control ; and,
on May 8th, Bonaparte reached Toulon from Paris to assume the
command. The expeditionary force was made up of fifteen sail of
the line (including two armed en flute), fourteen frigates (including
six armed en flute), and other vessels of war bringing the total to
seventy-two, besides about four hundred sail of transports,1 under
the orders of Vice-Admiral Brueys, and Bear-Admirals Villeneuve,
Blanquet du Chayla, and Decres ; together with an army of 36,000
men, commanded, under Napoleon, by the Generals of Division,
Kleber, Desaix, Bon, Eegnier, Vaubois, Menou, Duqua, Dumas and
Dumuy.
On May 19th, the Toulon division of this fleet got under way,
and, running towards Genoa, was joined by the transports from the
ports along the coast. Then, standing southward, it made Cape
Corse on the 23rd ; and from that day until the first week in June
it remained in sight of Corsica awaiting further transports from
Civita Vecchia. On June 3rd, having learnt that some British ships
had been seen off Cagliari, Napoleon sent a division of vessels to
look for them ; but the detachment rejoined, having discovered
nothing ; and, as the expected convoy from Civita Vecchia had not
arrived, the French proceeded without it, and passed Mazzaro del
Vallo, on the south-west coast of Sicily, on the 7th. On the
following day Bonaparte received news, which was, in fact,
erroneous, that he was closely pursued by Nelson. On the 9th,
the French, being off Malta, were joined by the transports from
Civita Vecchia, numbering seventy sail ; on the 10th, landings were
effected at seven points on the island ; and on the 12th, after slight
resistance, Malta, Gozo and Comino capitulated, with two 64-gun
ships, one frigate, and three galleys which were in port.
By almost incredible exertions the Vanguard was refitted in four
1 The figures here given are those from the ' Hist. Scieat. et Milit. de 1'Expedition,'
etc. (Paris, 1830-36). But it is right to say that, according to the ' Camp. d'Egypte
et de Syrie,' as dictated by Napoleon to Bertrand, and published in 1847, there were
but 33 men-of-war, 8 flutes, and 224 transports, having on board 24,300 infantry,
4000 cavalry, and 3000 artillery. M. Thiers, on the other hand, exaggerates even the
figures given in the text. ' Hist, du Cons, et de PEinp.'
VOL. IV. 2 A
354 MA JOB OPERATIONS, 1793-J802. [1798.
*
days, and on May 27th, she and her two consorts put to sea again,
and made for Toulon, off which port they found themselves on the
31st. Nelson had by that time learnt of the sailing of the French,
but he had nothing to guide him on the subject of their destination.
On June 5th, the Mutine, 16, Commander Thomas Masterman
Hardy, joined him from Lisbon at the rendezvous with news that
reinforcements were on their way to him from the Commander-
in-Chief, and with orders that, after their junction, he should go in
search of the fleet from Toulon. The reinforcement fell in with the
Eear- Admiral on June 7th.
This reinforcement, consisting of ten sail of the line and a 50-gun
ship, had been detached by St. Vincent on the night of May 24th.
It would have been detached earlier, but it could not be spared from
the work of blockading Cadiz until after a reinforcement from
England, under Bear-Admiral Sir Eoger Curtis, had reached the
Commander-in-Chief ; and Sir Eoger did not join the Commander-
in-Chief until May 24th. Unhappily, St. Vincent, who supposed
that the Emerald, Terpsichore, and Bonne Citoyenne were still with
Nelson, omitted to send to his subordinate any more frigates ; so that
the Bear-Admiral, although at length in command of thirteen sail of
the line and a 50-gun ship, had, to scout for him on a service the
success of which essentially depended upon his ability to secure
intelligence, nothing but a single brig-rigged sloop.
Nelson's orders from St. Vincent were : —
" To proceed iu quest of the armament preparing by the enemy at Toulon and
Genoa, the object whereof appears to be either an attack upon Naples or Sicily, the
conveyance of an army to some part of the coast of Spain for the purpose of marching
towards Portugal, or to pass through the Straits, with a view to proceeding to
Ireland."1
Nelson was further told that he might follow the enemy to any
part of the Mediterranean or even into the Black Sea. There
is, however, nothing in the instructions to indicate that St. Vincent,
or the Admiralty, whose views he translated, ever dreamt that
Napoleon was bound for Egypt ; and all that the Bear-Admiral
had to guide him was the single fact that the Toulon fleet had
quitted Toulon with a north-west wind. As soon, therefore, as he
could move, he steered for Corsica ; and, on June 12th, he was off
Cape Corse. That night he detached the Mutine to Civita Vecchia
to seek intelligence, while he pursued a course down the Tuscan
1 Dated May 21st.
1798.] NELSON IN SEARCH OF BBUEYS. 355
coast. The Mutine rejoined without having secured any news. The
Leander spoke a Moorish craft which falsely reported the French to
be at Syracuse. On the 17th, the fleet stood into the Bay of Naples.
Sir William Hamilton, the British Ambassador, suspected that the
enemy had gone to Malta ; and, following his indication, Nelson
entered the Strait of Messina on the 20th, and learnt from the
British Consul at Messina that Malta and Gozo had fallen, and that
the French were believed to be off the latter island. A north-west
breeze carried the Bear- Admiral through the strait ; but on the
22nd, when the fleet was about thirty-five miles south-east of Cape
Passaro, intelligence was obtained to the effect that the enemy had
quitted Malta on the 18th with a north-west wind. This news
suggested Alexandria as the probable aim of the French ; and, in
consequence, Nelson bore up, and steered south-east under all sail.
During the next five days, nothing was heard of the foe, and
when, on the 28th, Alexandria was sighted, and the Mutine was
sent in, it appeared that no enemy either was, or had been, on the
coast.
Nelson, accordingly, on the 29th, steered north-east with a fresh
north-north-east breeze, and made the coast of Anatolia on July 4th.
For several days afterwards the weather was unfavourable, but on
the 19th, the British were able to put into Syracuse for provisions
and water. Supplies were obtained, thanks mainly to the determina-
tion of the Eear- Admiral to secure them at all costs, and to suffer no
difficulties to stand in the way of his Majesty's service. Nelson him-
self believed, however, that he would not have obtained them as he
did, but for the influence of Lady Hamilton, the wife of the British
Ambassador at the Court of Naples. By July 24th, the fleet was
again able to sail. Nelson was practically certain that the French
were not at Corfu nor to the westward of that island ; and once more,
therefore, he determined to make for Alexandria. He steered first,
however, for the Morea, and on the 28th, being off Cape Gallo, sent
the Culloden into Coron, the governor of which informed Troubridge
that the French had been seen about four weeks earlier off the coast
of Candia, heading south-east. South-east, thereupon, went Nelson
with a fresh wind astern. At 10 A.M. on August 1st he sighted for
the second time the minarets of Alexandria. The French flag flew
over the city ; the harbours were crowded with shipping ; and
for an instant it appeared as if the British had found the object of
their long and indefatigable search. But when the Alexander and
2 A 2
356
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1798.
Swiftsure stood in to reconnoitre, they reported, to the general
disappointment, that the flotilla in port was almost entirely com-
posed of transports and merchantmen, and that there were with it
but eight ships of war,1 none of which were large.
After quitting Malta, where a garrison of four thousand men was
left under General Vaubois, the French had headed eastward with a
favourable breeze, and on June 30th had made Cape Durazzo, in
Candia. They had then steered for a point on the African coast
about seventy miles westward of Alexandria, and, having made the
land, had proceeded along the shore and anchored before the city on
July 1st. A landing had been immediately begun. On the 2nd,
after a slight action, Alexandria had been seized ; and on the 8th,
the Old Harbour being supposed to be inconvenient for the men-of-
war, Vice-Admiral Brueys, with his ships of the line and such of his
frigates as were not armed en flute, had anchored in Aboukir Bay,3
twelve or fifteen miles to the eastward.
Thus it was that the Alexander and Swiftsure, upon looking
into Alexandria, failed to find the ships which they desired. But
the disappointment caused by their signal lasted but for a short
time. A few minutes before 1 P.M. the Zealous, from which the
Pharos then bore S.S.W., distant about fourteen miles, signalled
that seventeen ships of war, thirteen or fourteen of which were
formed in line of battle, lay at anchor in a bay upon her larboard
bow. Nelson instantly hauled up, and headed eastward under
topgallant sails, with a brisk breeze varying from N. by W. to
N.N.W.3
1 The Dubois, Causse, and six ex- Venetian vessels.
2 Napoleon, on hearing of this, sent a message ordering Brueys to remove to the
Old Harbour ; but the message never reached him. Brueys, however, upon his own
initiative, was thinking of removing thither when Nelson caught him. (Brueys to
Nap., July 30th.)
3 It may be convenient to give in the following form some tabulated particulars of
Nelson's celebrated search for Brueys : —
Date.
Nelson.
Brueys.
Date.
Kelson.
Brueys.
May 2
Cadiz, dep.
Jl
ne 14
Off ClvitaVecchia.
4-9
Gibraltar.
17
Off Naples.
17
Off Cap* Sicie.
20
Off Messina.
19
Toulon, dep.
221
Off Cape Passaro.
21
80 miles S. of Hyeres.
28-29
Off Alexandria,
22
23
Sail Pietro, arr.
Off Cape Carbonara.
Jli
30
y i
Off Cape Durazio.
Off Alexandria.
27
San Pietro, dep.
i
Off Anatolia.
31
June 8
Off Toulon.
Off Toulon, dep.
Off Mazzara.
8
18
Off Cape Passaro.
Abonkir Bay, arr.
10-19
Malta.
19-24
Syracuse.
12
Off Cape Corse.
A:
lg- 1
Off Alexandria.
> On the 22nd and the two following days the fleets were comparatively near one another.
1798.]
BRUEYS IN ABOUKIB BAT.
357
The fleets which had for so long played hide and seek with
one another, and which were at length about to meet, were thus
composed :—
BRITISH.
FRENCH.
Ships.
S
Commanders.
* Lost their lives.
W
Wounded.
Ships.
O
Commanders.
* Lost their lives.
1
Goliath . .
Zealous .
74
74
Capt. Thomas Foley (3).
„ Samuel Hood (2).
21
1
41 |l Guerrier' .
7 Conquerant .
74
74
Capt. J. F. T. Trulli-t (1). i T »
„ S. Dalbarade (2). T
Orion . .
74
„ SirJamesSaumarez.
13
29
Spartiate
74
„ M. J. Emeriau.
1
Audacious .
74
, Davldge Gould.
1
35
Aquilon . .
74
„ H. A. Thevenard (2).*
T
Theseus .
74
f „ Ralph Willett
I Miller.
5
30
Peuple Sou-
verain . .
74
„ P. P. Raccord.
T
{Rear-Adm. SirH. Nelson,
(Rear-Adm. A. S. M. Blan-
Vanguard .
Minotaur
74
74
K.B. (B).
Capt. Edward Berry.
,, Thomas Louis.
30
23
76
64
Franklin
80
< quet du Cbayla.
(Capt. M. Gilet.
{Vice-Adm. F. P. Braeys.*
T
Defence . .
74
„ John Peyton.
4
11
Orient . .
120
Capt. H. Ganteanme, 1st. Burnt
BeUerophim .
74
/ „ Henry d'Esterre
I Darby.
49
148
Ibnnant . .
80
,, L. de Casa Bianca, 2ud.»
„ A. A. Dupetit Thouars.* T
Majestic . .
74
/ „ George Blagden
t Westcott.*
50
143
Heureux
Mercure .
74
74
,, J. P. Etienne.
,, Cambon.
Tt
T*
Leander . .
Alexander .
50
74
f „ Thomas Boulden
\ Thompson.
f ,, Alexander John
I Ball.
0
14
14
58
l!" ill, III Ml
Tell . . .
Gfnereux .
80
74
|Rear-Adm. P. C. J. B. S. Ville-
< neuve.
(Capt. Saulnier.
„ Le Joille.
Escpd
Escpd.
Svnftsure .
74
/ „ Benjamin Hallo-
1 well
7
22
TimoUon
74
„ J. F. T. Trullet (2).
Burnt
Cuttodeni .
74
„ ThomasTroubridgc.
0
0
Strieuse .
36
„ C. J. Martin.
Sunk
A rtetnise .
40
„ P. J. Standelet.
Burnt
Xutine . .
16
/Com. Thomis Masterman
1 Harciv.
Diane . .
40
/Rear-Adm. D. Decres.
(Capt. E. J. N. Solen.
Escpd.
Justice . .
40
„ Villenenve (2).
Escpd.
Raillcur,
brig . . .
Alerte, brig .
Grounded, and failed to get into action.
and three bombs, besides several gunboats.
» Burnt, as useless, August 18th.
t Burnt, as useless, August 16th.
The Bay of Aboukir lies along the coast, a few miles to the
north-east of Alexandria, and is a nearly semi-circular indentation
opening to the northward, between Aboukir Point, on the west, and
the Eosetta mouth of the Nile, on the east, a distance of about
sixteen miles. This opening is not, however, an uninterrupted one,
for, from Aboukir Point, in a nearly northerly direction there extends
a chain of shoals and rocks. Of the rocks, the largest, Aboukir
Island, is about two miles from Aboukir Point, and in 1798 both it
and the town of Aboukir, on Aboukir Point, were fortified and held
by the French. There is no passage, save for very small craft,
between the shoals and rocks composing the chain above-mentioned,
and a continuation of the shoal extended in 1798 north-eastward
beyond Aboukir Island for nearly a mile ; so that the mouth of the
bay, so far as large vessels were concerned, practically narrowed itself
to little more than thirteen miles.
358
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1798.
The French ships, in line, at single anchor with springs on their
cables,1 extended from a point about 2400 yards south-east of Aboukir
Island, towards the south-east, in the direction of the shore. The
line was not quite straight, but was slightly bowed to seawards.
The Guerrier, at the north-western end, lay about 1000 yards from
the edge of the shoal that surrounds the island, and, as the ships
were anchored with intervals of about 160 yards, the length of the
REAR-ADMIRAL SIR EDWARD BERRY, BART.
(From the engraving by D. Orme, after the portrait by himself, painted about 1805, when
Berry was a Captain.)
whole line was about 2850 yards. Within it, with its edge curving
in the direction away from the convexity of the line, was a shoal ;
yet this shoal was not so close but that there was room for ships to
work in between it and the French fleet. Nearly midway between
the line and the shoal, and parallel with the former, Brueys anchored
1 When Brueys perceived that Nelson was about to attack, he ordered each ship to
lay out an anchor to S.S.E., and to send a stream cable to the ship next astern of her,
making a hawser fast to it. ' Viet, et Conq.,' ix. 89.
1798.]
NELSON ATTACKS BBUEYS.
359
his four frigates. His bombs and gunboats were still closer inshore,
under Aboukir; and all these vessels, as well as a battery of two
brass and two iron 12-pounders, two 13-inch brass mortars, and
some lighter pieces, on Aboukir Island, were so disposed as to lend
more or less support to the whole position, the general nature of
which is made clear by the accompanying plans.
It was 2 P.M. when the Heureux signalled the presence of a fleet
of twelve sail of the line1 in the N.N.W. The French commander-
POSITION OF TRENCH FLEET
ABOUKIR BAY.
«/' K.
#' /?$&
in-chief at once recalled to the ships a number of men who were on
shore with water-casks, and ordered part of the crews of the frigates
to go on board the vessels of the line. At 3 P.M. he further signalled
to prepare for battle, and, at the same time, detached the brigs
Bailleur and Alerte to endeavour to tempt the advancing British on
to the Aboukir shoals. At 4 P.M., when he learnt that not twelve,
but fourteen ships were about to fall upon him, he betrayed
symptoms of an intention to get under way, and ordered top-
gallant yards to be crossed ; but he seems to have subsequently
The Alexander and Swiftsure being not then in sight.
360 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
concluded that his enemy would not attack him until the follow-
ing morning, and to have, in consequence, decided to remain at
anchor.
At 2.15 P.M., when the Alexander and Swiftsure, which had
reconnoitred the harbours of Alexandria, and had been recalled by
signal, were standing under all sail to rejoin the Bear-Admiral, they
were about twelve miles from the main body which was making the
best of its way to the eastward. At 3 P.M., Nelson signalled to
prepare for battle, and at 4 P.M., when the Orient bore S.E. by S.,
distant about nine miles, he ordered his ships to prepare to anchor
by the stern. Each ship, in pursuance of this direction, made fast a
stream cable to her mizenmast, and, passing it out of one of her
gun-room ports, carried it along her side, just below the lower deck
ports (from several of which it was slung by spun yarn lashings), and
then bent it to an anchor at her bow, so that, upon that anchor
being let go, the ship would run over the cable leading from the
hawse-hole, and would bring up by the cable out of the gunroom
port. This arrangement had a double object ; namely, to prevent
the ships, upon anchoring, from swinging head to wind, and from,
perhaps, being seriously raked while doing so ; and to enable them,
by hauling upon one cable and slackening the other, to bring their
broadsides to bear in any desired direction. Having signalled to
prepare to anchor, Nelson next intimated that he intended to attack
the enemy's van and centre.1 As he had previously explained to
his captains the general plan upon which he purposed to proceed in
case he should discover the French in such a position as that which
they were actually found to occupy, he was then able, with con-
fidence, to leave the execution of the details to his subordinates.2
The manoeuvres of the Eailleur and Alerte failed to divert the
attention of the British van. " The bait," admits Guerin, " was
a clumsy one to put before a man like Nelson," and the fleet paid
absolutely no attention to it. At 5.30 P.M., when he was nearly
abreast of the Aboukir Island shoal, the Bear-Admiral signalled to
form line of battle ahead and astern of the flagship, as most con-
venient, and, soon afterwards, he hailed Hood, of the Zealous,
inquiring whether the latter thought that the ships were far
1 Brueys, strange to say, had anticipated a concentration upon his rear. Brueys to
Nap., July 13th. But it may be that, when he wrote, his rear lay to windward, and
could not, consequently, be readily succoured by his van.
2 Sir E. Berry in ' Nav. Chron.,' i. 52.
1798.] BATTLE OF TEE NILE. 361
enough to the eastward to be able to clear the shoal if they bore
up.1 There was no trustworthy chart of the bay, and the ground
was strange to every Captain present. Hood answered that he
was then in 11 fathoms, and that, if permitted, he would bear up,
sounding carefully, and so serve as guide to the fleet. Nelson
assented ; and, while the Zealous cautiously rounded the head of
the shoal, with the Goliath on her port or outer bow, the Vanguard
hove to and allowed several vessels to pass her. As the Theseus
approached, Miller was hailed by Berry and told that he was to-
be Nelson's next ahead. The Theseus accordingly ran past, the
Vanguard filled, and at 6 P.M., by signal, the column stood on,
the order then being : Goliath, Zealous, Orion, Audacious, Theseus,
Vanguard, Minotaur, Defence, Bellerophon, Majestic, Leander, with,
considerably to the northward, Culloden, and, still far to westward,
Alexander and Swiftsure under a press of sail.
At 6.20 P.M. the Conquerant, followed by the Guerrier, opened
SIGNATURE OF ADMIRAL SIB THOMAS FOLEY (3).
fire upon the Goliath and Zealous, and the battery on the island
began to throw shells, but without effect. Ten minutes afterwards
the Goliath, which had with difficulty kept ahead of the Zealous,
passed under the forefoot of the Guerrier, fired a raking broadside
into that vessel, and endeavoured to anchor on her port bow. As,
however, the anchor was let go rather late, the Goliath ran down
somewhat further than Foley had intended, and only brought up
abreast of the port quarter of the Conquerant, with which ship, and
with the Serieuse? on her starboard bow, she began a warm action.
The Zealous, also rounding the head of the French line, brought up,
in only five fathoms, abreast of the port bow of the Guerrier. It
was sunset ; and, as the Zealous brought down the Guerrier 's fore-
1 Williams, who was present, tells a slightly different story. " Nelson hailed Hood,
and asked him if he thought there was sufficient depth of water for our ships between
the enemy and the shore. ' I don't know, sir,' replied Hood ; ' but, with your permission,
I will stand in and try.' " According to this, Nelson inquired not about getting round
the shoal, but about getting round the head of the French line.
* The Serieuse had, of course, already fired at her. So, also, had the Hercule,
bomb, to which the Goliath distantly replied.
362 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
mast ere she had been five minutes in action, the advancing British
ships gave three cheers. (Fig. on opposite page.)
The Orion, which was next in order, rounded the starboard
quarter of the Zealous, and running along outside her and the
Goliath, poured her starboard broadside into the presumptuous
Serieuse, dismasted her, cut her cable, reduced her to a sinking
condition, and then, dropping anchor, veered away so as to bring up
head to wind a little abaft the port beam of the Peuple Souverain,
•but at a rather greater distance from her than Saumarez had
intended.1 In the meantime the Audacious, cutting between the
Guerrier and the Conquerant, dropped her small bower anchor so
as to bring up close athwart the latter ship's hawse, and, presently
swinging round head to wind, came to again less than fifty yards
from the Conquerant's port bow. The Theseus, taking a shorter
course than the Orion, passed round the head of the French line,
and between it and the already anchored Zealous and Goliath, and
herself anchored by the stern, abreast of, and about three hundred
yards from the Spartiate.
Nelson, in the Vanguard, followed ; but, instead of cutting
through the line, he anchored at 6.40 P.M. on the starboard beam of
the Spartiate, at a distance of about eighty yards. The Minotaur
passed along the Vanguard's disengaged side, and at 6.45 P.M.,
anchored abreast of the Aquilon; and the Defence, passing in a
similar manner along the disengaged side of the Minotaur, brought
up at 7 P.M. on the beam of the Peuple Souverain. At that moment,
therefore, the five leading French ships found themselves in con-
flict with eight British, five of which were on their port, and three
on their starboard hand. It was at about that time that the fleet,
which had gone into action with the AVhite Ensign flying,2 began
to hoist the lights which Nelson had prescribed in order that his
vessels might easily recognise one another — four disposed horizontally
at the mizen peak. At about the same time, also, the Bellerophon
anchored by the stern abreast, and on the starboard side, of the
Orient. A few minutes later the Majestic 3 brought up in a similar
1 Saumarez had to deviate from his course, in the first place, in order to deal with
the Serieuse, and, in the second, in order to avoid fouling the Theseus, which had
anchored before him.
2 Nelson, although he was then of the Blue Squadron, had a peculiar affection for
the White Ensign, under which he eventually fell.
8 At about 8.30, finding that she was drifting athwart the hawse of the Heureux,
the Majestic slipped her stern cable, and, letting go her best bower, brought up again
head to wind on the port bow of the Heureux.
THE BATTLE OF THE
[To face p. 362.
1798.] BATTLE OF THE NILE. 363
position with regard to the Tonnant. Such was the situation in
the immediate neighbourhood of the French line at about 7.15 P.M.
At about 6.40 P.M. the Culloden,1 while rounding the point of
shoal eastward of Aboukir Island, had, unfortunately, grounded
and- stuck fast, to the immense mortification of the gallant Trou-
bridge and his ship's company, who soon realised that the accident
must debar them from having any share in the furious action that
was going on under their eyes. The accident for a time detained
the Leander, which was the Culloden' s next ahead ; but, quickly
perceiving where he could be of most use, Captain Thompson
proceeded on his course towards the enemy. All that was possible
was done to get the Culloden off; and the Mutine, after a time,
anchored hard by and lent her assistance ; but not until 2 A.M. on
August 2nd could the ship haul herself clear; and by that hour
she had bumped her rudder off and was making seven feet of water
an hour. As soon, however, as she had grounded, she had signalled
SIGNATURE OF BEAK-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS TKOUBRIDGE, BABT.
her mishap ; and her signals warned the Alexander and Swiftsure,
as they came up, of the danger in their way ; so that although,
just as they were rounding the shoal, the wind shifted from N.N.W.
to N., they cleared it. To do so, however, the Alexander had to
tack, and so surrendered her lead to the Swiftsiire, which, as she
neared the centre of the French line at a few minutes after 8 P.M.,
fell in with a dismasted hull, drifting without lights or colours.
Hallowell providentially hailed her instead of at once firing into
her, and learnt that she was the Bellerophon, going out of action
disabled. Hallowell, in the darkness, smoke, and general confusion,
could not tell exactly where he was, but, realising that he was
quite close to some part of the French line, he at once let go and
brought up by the stern opposite the interval between the Franklin
and the Orient, at a distance of a cable from the latter's starboard
bow. A little earlier the Peuple Souverain had parted her cable
1 Ekins makes the extraordinary mistake of saying that the Culloden grounded
while leading the fleet in. ' Nav. Battles,' 237.
364 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
and dropped out of the French line, and the Leander, arriving on
the scene of action, and observing the gap thus occasioned in it,
had kept for a time under way in the vacant space, and had then
anchored with great judgment athwart the bows of the Franklin,
in such a manner that with her port broadside she raked the
Franklin and the ships astern of her, while, with her starboard
broadside, she could also rake the Aquilon, receiving comparatively
little harm herself. The Alexander had, ere that, cut the line
astern of the Orient,1 and, coming round to the wind, had anchored
by the bow on the three-decker's port quarter.
It is now time to look at the fortunes of the French ships which
were thus attacked.
The Guerrier, raked not only by the Zealous, which was
anchored on her port bow, but also by the Orion, Theseus,
Audacious, and Goliath as they proceeded to their stations, speedily
lost all her masts. She nevertheless fought on with great heroism
until after 9 P.M., when she surrendered to the Zealous. The Con-
quer ant, first engaged by the Goliath, then raked by the Audacious?
and finally assailed with steady persistency by both ships, resisted
only for about twelve minutes ; yet, when she struck, she had lost
her fore and mizen masts and was completely disabled. The
Spartiate, engaged first by the Theseus, and then by that ship and
the Vanguard, received also some more distant fire from the
Minotaur, and ultimately from the Audacious as well. The Aquilon,
her next astern, assisted her for a time by using her springs to
bring her port broadside to bear upon the Vanguard's bows ; but
at length the Spartiate was completely dismasted, and soon after
9 P.M. she struck. The Aquilon had as her nearest opponent the
Minotaur, which alone of all the ships in the two fleets carried, as
an upper battery, a tier of 32-pounder carronades. The Theseus,
though much more distant, also devoted some attention to the
Aquilon, which, having lost all her masts and suffered heavily,
hauled down her flag at 9.25 P.M. The Peuple Souverain, hotly
assailed by the Defence and Orion, both of which occupied advan-
tageous positions with respect to her, soon lost her fore and main
masts, and either parted her cable, or had it shot away. She
consequently dropped down abreast of the Orient, where she
1 The manoeuvre being facilitated by the fact that the Tonnant had driven a little
to leeward.
2 The Conquerant also received a passing fire from the Orion and Theseus.
1798.]
BATTLE OF THE NILE.
365
reanchored, having ceased firing. The Franklin had for a time no
near opponent, but received a distant fire from the starboard quarter
guns of the Orion. The Leander then, as has been seen, placed
herself athwart the hawse of the French 80, and began systemati-
cally to rake her ; the Swiftsure gave her the fire from her star-
board quarter and stern guns ; and the Defence, together with the
Minotaur, when the latter had settled matters with the Aquilon,
VICE-ADMIRAL SIB THOMAS BOULDEN THOMPSON, KT. AND BART.
(From Ridley's lithograph after the miniature by G. Engleheart, painted when Thompson
was a Captain.)
annoyed the Franklin on her starboard bow and beam. But before
the Franklin was silenced there happened an event of so awful a
character as for a time to paralyse, as it were, both fleets.
The French flagship Orient1 was first sought out by the
Bdlerophon, which anchored close alongside of the great three-
decker, but which soon found the position untenable. By 7.50 P.M.
1 She had previously been known as the Sans Culotte, and had been renamed in
honour of the object of the expedition.
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
the British 74 had lost her mizen mast ; a little later her main mast
went over the starboard bow, and she caught fire in several places ;
and at 8.20 P.M., being absolutely disabled, she set her sprit-sail,'
cut her stern cable, and got clear. An attempt to set her fore-
topsail brought down her shattered foremast. In that condition
she was fired into by the Tonnant,1 and, as has been shown,
narrowly escaped being fired into by the Swiftsure. The attack
upon the Orient was almost instantly taken up by the Swiftsure
and the Alexander; and at 9 P.M. the former vessel perceived the
French flagship to be on fire. The Swiftsure concentrated as
much of her broadside as possible upon the burning spot, and thus
probably interfered with the attempts to extinguish the flames.
Early in the action Vice-Admiral Brueys had received two wounds^
and at about 8 P.M., while descending from the poop to the quarter-
deck, he had been almost cut in two by a round shot ; but, when
asked to allow himself to be taken below, had proudly answered,
" Un amiral franpais doit mourir sur son bane de quart." He had
not survived to witness the outbreak of the fire. Soon after his death
his flag-captain, de Casa Bianca, had fallen dangerously wounded;
and it would appear, from the accounts of survivors, that, ere the
conflagration began, the ship had already become a shambles.
Yet worse was in store. The flames increased and spread along
the deck and leapt, up the rigging. Foreseeing the inevitable
catastrophe, all the vessels near the doomed three-decker either
shifted their berths, or, closing their ports and hatchways, and
removing all ammunition from their upper decks, held in readiness
large bodies of men with filled buckets. At about 10 P.M. the
Orient was blown into the air by the explosion of her magazine.2
The concussion alone was so violent as to seriously injure ships
which lay even at some distance; and the hurtling fragments of
spars and wreckage presently fell a burning shower all around.
Some fell in the Swiftsure, some in the Alexander, but most in
the Franklin. The latter two vessels were set on fire ; yet in both
cases the flames were quickly extinguished.
i Many French accounts have it that the BeUerophon's people, while near the
Tonnant et principalement les officiers, jeterent de grands cris, pour faire connaitre
quil et.it rendu." 'Viet, et Conq.,' «. 101; Gufrin, vi. 168, etc. There is not a
shadow of evidence that any soul in the ship ever dreamt of surrender- but there is
evidence that her crew was a noisy one.
• About 70 of her people were saved by British boats, and Capt. Ganteaume and a
" ri? Salamine> but- ^ these exceptions,
1798.] BATTLE OF THE NILE. 367
It is clear that the physical and moral effects of the shock
stupefied almost everyone in both fleets. All accounts of eye-
witnesses agree in declaring that not for several minutes after this
frightful catastrophe was another gun fired on either side. The
Franklin, though nearly disabled, was the first ship to renew the
struggle ; but she did not much longer maintain it. The Defence
and Swiftsure brought down her main and mizen masts ; and,
being scarcely able to make any reply, she hauled down her flag.
By midnight, therefore, all the ships of the French line ahead of
the Tonnant had struck or had been destroyed. The Tonnant
continued her most gallant resistance. She had thus far been
engaged chiefly with the Majestic, whose main and mizen masts
she had shot away, but, more distantly, with the Swiftsure and
Alexander. At length, when all her own masts had been cut off
close to the deck and had encumbered her batteries with their
wreckage, she had to cease firing, but, instead of immediately
surrendering, she managed, by letting out cable, to drop into
a station in which, for the time, she suffered but little further
annoyance. She had indeed offered a magnificent defence ; and
the end of her captain, the brave Dupetit Thouars, deserves to be
remembered as one of the brightest episodes in an action which
was full of splendid deeds. Eound shots deprived him successively
of his right arm, his left arm, and one of his legs ; whereupon the
heroic officer, instead of letting himself be taken below, caused
himself to be placed in a tub of bran, whence he continued to give
his orders until from loss of blood he became insensible. One
of these was for nailing the French flag to the ship's masts.1
Almost his last words were to implore his people to sink rather
than surrender.2
In her new position the Tonnant practically constituted the head
of a fresh but very irregular line, which had been formed inside
and to leeward of the tail of the old one, by the ships of the French
rear, all of which, with the exception of the Tonnant, were still
undamaged. At about 4 A.M. on the 2nd, as day was breaking,
some of these ships became distantly engaged with the Alexander
1 As these afterwards fell, the precaution was useless.
2 Aristide Aubert Dupetit Thouars : born, 1760 ; fought at Ushant and in North
American waters ; captain, 1783 ; led the expedition in search of La Perouse. His son
Abel, another brilliant naval officer, established the French protectorate over Tahiti,
and died a vice-admiral, 1864. His son Abel (2), also a naval officer, served in the
Crimea, at Simonosaki, and at Strasburg (1870), and died a rear-admiral in 1890.
368 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
and Majestic. The firing attracted to the spot the Theseus and
Goliath, which anchored near the French frigate Artemise. Her
captain fired a broadside into the Theseus, and then struck; but,
when taken possession of, she was found to be on fire ; and she
afterwards blew up. In the meantime the vessels of the French
rear, and the two remaining frigates, had dropped so much further
to leeward as to be almost out of gunshot. The Heureux and
Mercure, in fact, had gone to the length of running themselves on
shore in the bight of the bay.
At 6 A.M. the Zealous, Goliath, and Theseus were signalled to
weigh, and the first-named was presently directed to chase the
frigate Justice, which was making for the disabled Bellerophon
with a view to summoning her to surrender. The other two
British 74's, accompanied by the Alexander and Leander, followed
up the Heureux and Mercure, and, after exchanging a few shots
with them, forced them to strike. The Zealous easily induced the
Justice to abandon her absurd design against the Bellerophon, and
then, by Nelson's direction, joined Captain Darby's ship in order
to protect her from molestation by any more serious foe.
While the Zealous, Goliath, Theseus, Alexander, and Leander
were thus employed, the Guillaume Tell, Genereux, Timoleon,
Tonnant, and Diane, which had been rejoined by the Justice,
found themselves with no British vessels very near them. The
Tonnant, of course, could not move ; the Timoleon, which had
got herself fairly embayed among the shoals to leeward, en-
deavoured to make sail upon the port tack, and, in the effort,
ran herself ashore. But the other French ships had room to
manoeuvre and were perfectly able to do so; and, seizing their
opportunity, they hauled close on the port tack, and made a
bold bid for safety. The Zealous, observing them, chased and
was, a few minutes afterwards, actually engaging single-handed
the four uninjured ships, and endeavouring to cut off the rear-
most frigate, when Nelson recalled her. Thus did Rear-Admiral
Villeneuve, with the Guillaume Tell, Genereux, Diane, and Justice,
escape from the fatal Bay of Aboukir.1 The whole of the rest of
the fleet of Brueys either fell into the hands of the victors or was
destroyed ; for, on the morning of August 3rd, the Tonnant, being
1 These escaped only for a time. The Oenereux was taken on Feb. 18th, the
Guillaume Tell on March 30th, and the Diane on Aug. 24th, 1800. The Justice was
captured at Alexandria on Sept. 2nd, 1801.
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THE BATTLE
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THE HEIGHT Or THE. ACT>ON ^ ..''
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{To face p. :
1798.] BATTLE OF THE NILE. 369
threatened by the Theseus and Leander, struck, and, during the
afternoon of the same day, the grounded TimoUon was set on fire
by her crew, and eventually blew up.
Nearly all the British ships had suffered in their rigging. The
Bellerophon lost all three masts, the Majestic lost her main and
mizen. But these were the only vessels which had lost any
lower masts, and the damages of the others aloft were, with few
exceptions, not very serious. The chief sufferers in their hulls
were the Bellerophon, the Majestic, and the Vanguard. The total
loss of each British ship in killed and wounded will be found set
forth in the table on page 357. The officers killed were : Captain
George Blagden Westcott (Majestic) ; Lieutenants Eobert Savage
Daniel (1783), Philip William Launder (1790), and George Jolliffe
(1797), (Bellerophon), John G. Kirchner (Minotaur), and John
Collins (Alexander) ; Captain of Marines William Faddy (Vanguard),
Master's Mates William Davies (Goliath), Peter Walter (Minotaur),
and Thomas Ellison (Bellerophon) ; Midshipmen Andrew Brown
(Goliath), Thomas Seymour and John George Taylor (Vanguard),
and Zebedee Ford (Majestic) ; Captain's Clerk - - Baird (Orion) ;
and Boatswain Andrew Gilmore (Majestic). Among the officers
wounded were Bear-Admiral Sir H. Nelson ; Captains A. J. Ball,
Sir J. Saumarez, and H. d'E. Darby; Lieutenants Nathaniel Vassall
and John Miller Adye (Vanguard), Bichard Hawkins (Theseus),
John Jeans (Audacious), William Wilkinson (Goliath), and Thomas
Irwin (Minotaur) ; Mr. John Campbell, Nelson's secretary, and
Captains of Marines John Creswell (Alexander), and John Hopkins
(Bellerophon).
Nelson was wounded early in the action by a splinter, which
struck him above his blind right eye, and which left pendent a strip
of flesh. For a short time he believed the wound to be a mortal
one, but, when it had been sewn up, the Bear-Admiral was able to
return to his duties on deck. Captain Westcott,1 of the Majestic,
lost his life by a musket ball fired from the Tonnant. After his
death, the ship continued to be most effectively fought by her first
lieutenant, Bobert Cuthbert.2
1 George Blagden Westcott was made Commander in 1787, and was posted on
Oct. 1st, 1790.
2 The first Lieutenants of the ships engaged were, it would appear : Goliath, George
Jardine ; Zealous, William Henry Webley ; Orion, James Barker ; Audacious,
Thomas White (2) ; Ttieseus, Richard Hawkins ; Vanguard, Edward Galwey ;
Minotaur, Charles Marsh Schomberg ; Defence, Richard Jones (1); Bellerophon,
VOL. IV. 2 B
370 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
From what has been already written, it will be understood that
the French ships which were closely engaged were all very badly
damaged. Five of them were left without a stick standing, and
were so shattered in hull as to be, for the time, quite unseaworthy.
Two others remained with but one mast each, and with riddled
hulls. Estimates of the French loss in killed, drowned, burnt,
wounded, taken and missing, vary between 2000 and 5000, but no
official returns exist. It is probable, all things considered, that
about 3500 was the true number. Among the French officers who
perished were, in addition to Vice-Admiral Brueys,1 and Captain
Dupetit Thouars, Captains Thevenard (2), and de Casa Bianca.2
Captain Dalbarade (2) never recovered from his wounds.
The Culloden, it will have been seen, was able to take no part
whatsoever in the action ; yet, even if she be counted as part of
Nelson's effective force, the British in this great battle were in
tonnage and gun power inferior to their opponents. Brueys,
leaving aside his frigates, had thirteen ships, mounting nominally 3
1026 guns. Nelson had fourteen ships, mounting nominally 1012
guns. But the French ships threw, upon the whole, much heavier
broadsides than the British, and were also, upon the whole, much
larger vessels. The biggest British ship in the battle was the
Minotaur, of 1718 tons. Of the prizes, the Spartiate measured
1949, the Franklin, 2257, and the Tonnant, 2281 tons. The
Orient, the Guillaume Tell, and several more were also larger than
anything in the British line on that glorious occasion. And when
Robert Savage Daniel, killed ; Robert Cathcart, senior surviving ; Majestic, Robert
Cuthbert; Swiftsure, John La wes Waters; Alexander, John Yule ; Leander, William
Richardson (1). These seem to have been all promoted, though one, Lieutenant
Schomberg, did not receive that reward until 1802, and another, Lieut. Yule, until 1805.
Lieut. Cathcart was posted. Owing to the fact that two Lieutenants of the name of
Thomas White were made Commanders in 1798, and that both these officers were posted
in 1810, it is exceedingly difficult to separate all their services ; but the first Lieutenant
of the Audacious was the officer who was born in 1755, made a Commander on
Oct. 8th, 1798, and posted on Oct. 21st, 1810, and who died in 1833, being still a
Captain. (Naut. May., ii. 624.) I have not succeeded in ascertaining the name of the
C'ulloden's first Lieutenant ; but he also was ordered to be promoted.
1 Franc ois Paul, Comte de Brueys d'Aigailliere ; born 1753 at Uzes ; lieu-
tenant 1780 ; captain before the Revolution ; made a rear-admiral by Truguet and a
vice-admiral by Bonaparte. He was brave, but quite incapable as a flag-officer.
2 Lucien, Comte de Casa Bianca; born, 1755. His son, aged ten, perished with him.
3 I say " nominally," in order to avoid having to enter here into elaborate explana-
tions of the real number of guns carried by each ship. As a matter of fact, the ships on
both sides carried more than their nominal number of guns : but in real, as in nominal
number, the French were superior.
1798.]
BATTLE OF THE NILE.
371
it is remembered that the Culloden had no share in the fight, and
that Nelson had no frigates, while Brueys had four frigates,
nominally mounting 152 guns, besides a battery on shore to
support the head of his line, the disadvantages under which the
British laboured become even more noteworthy. Looking, there-
fore, to the unflinching determination with which the French
fought, to the completeness of the victory gained, and to the
effects produced, the Battle of the Nile may justly be deemed
the most splendid and glorious success which the British Navy
gained up to the end of the eighteenth century. Nelson not only
defeated an enemy of superior force, but practically annihilated
his fleet. In addition, he inflicted the first serious blow upon the
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF THK BATTLE OF THE NILE, 1798.
(From an original lent by H.S.H. dipt. Prince Louis of Battenbcrtj, R.N.)
colossal schemes of Napoleon, and saved, certainly great part of
the Ottoman Empire, and possibly also India, from becoming,
temporarily at least, a prey to France.
To what causes, then, was the victory owing ? They were both
positive and negative. The chief causes were Nelson's prescience
and unrivalled boldness, and the complete military efficiency of his
ships, his officers, and his men. The plan of attacking the head
and centre of the enemy's line and of doubling upon it was, of
course, at the root of all. Yet the negative causes were, it must
be admitted, scarcely less instrumental than the positive in securing
the result. Brueys, in spite of his personal bravery, was both
sluggish and incompetent. He stationed his fleet so that the two
sides of it which formed the angle, the apex of which was the
2 B 2
372 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
Orient, could not, without moving, support one another. He
•deliberately, in spite of the advice of his most experienced officers,
elected to fight at anchor. He underrated his enemy. Till the
very hour of the onset he exclaimed, " They dare not attack me."
In spite of the number of small craft at his disposal, both at
Aboukir and at Alexandria, he had no scouts out, and secured no
warning of the approach or the force of his foe. He had no
ussurance, for he did not take the trouble to sound the passage,
that the British, by entering between Aboukir and the island, could
not get inside his line ; and he must have known, had he reflected,
that they could get round the head of it ; yet he caused his fleet to
clear for action only on the starboard or seaward side ; and so
imperfectly did his own ship clear that numerous special cabins
which had been fitted in her for military and civilian passengers
were never removed at all. Nor were the junior flag-officers,
Villeneuve and Decres, less remiss than their chief. If, as James
says, the six French rear ships — and I would add, the frigates — as
soon as they saw the manosuvre that was about to be practised on
their friends in the van, — had
" got under way and stood out, they would have found full employment for the five or
six British ships that had not yet got into action. They would undoubtedly have
'Captured the CiiHn:!en, and prevented the Alexander and Su-iftsure from entering the
liay. Had those six French ships weighed at any time before 7 P.M., they might, with
the wind as it then was, have made a good stretch out of the bay, and, by tacking, when
the wind, as it afterwards did, shifted to north, might have stood for the van of
their line with their yards nearly square.''
Of the nine prizes, the Guerrier, Heureiu, and Mercure, as being
useless, were ultimately burnt by the victors. The Peuple Souverain,
having been brought as far on the way to England as Gibraltar, was
renamed Guerrier, and was left there as a guardship. The five
remaining ships, which arrived in safety at Plymouth, were added
to the Navy, the Franklin as the Canopus, the Aquilon as the
Aboukir, and the others under their old names.
On August 5th, Nelson sent off dispatches for his Commander-in-
Chief, Lord St. Vincent, by Captain Berry, late of the Vanguard,
who sailed in the Leander. Berry's place as flag-captain was taken
by Thomas Masterman Hardy, previously of the Mutine ; and Hardy's
place as Commander of the Mutine was given to the Hon. Thomas
Bladen Capell,1 who, on the 13th, sailed in his sloop for Naples with
1 He had been junior and signal Lieutenant of the Vanguard.
1798.] HONOURS FOB THE VICTORS. 373
duplicate dispatches. Berry, as will be seen in the next chapter,
had the misfortune to be captured, while on his way to Cadiz, by
the Genereux, 74 ; but Capell safely reached his destination. With
a view to reassure the officials of the East India Company, Nelson
also sent overland to Bombay Lieutenant Thomas Duval, of the
Zealous, who arrived there, after many adventures, on October
21st. On August 14th, the main part of the fleet, under Sir James
Saumarez, and such of the prizes 1 as were to be removed, stood out
of the road, and on the following day proceeded westward ; and on
the 19th Nelson himself, in the Vanguard, with the Culloden and
Alexander, sailed for Naples, leaving Captain Samuel Hood (2), as
senior officer, before Alexandria, with the Zealous, Goliath, Swiftsure,
Seahorse, 28,2 Emerald, 36,3 Alcmene, 32,4 and Bonne Citoyenne, 20.5'
Napoleon learnt on the 14th of what had happened in Aboukir Bay.
News of the victory, travelling by way of Naples, reached the
Admiralty on October 2nd. For three months prior to that day,
Nelson's popularity had been under a cloud, and had not saved the
Bear-Admiral from the most baseless accusations of remissness and
incompetence. The Government hastened to make amends for the
popular unreasonableness. On October 6th, the victor was created
Baron Nelson of the Nile, and of Burnham Thorpe ; on November
20th, at the opening of Parliament, the King's speech contained a
most handsome reference to the triumph which had been won ; and
this was presently followed by the granting of a pension of £2000 a
year to Nelson and his two next heirs male by the Parliament of
England, and of one of £1000 a year by the Parliament of Ireland.
Both Parliaments also voted thanks to the officers and men who had
been concerned ; gold medals were presented to the Hear- Admiral
and his Captains, including Troubridge ; the first Lieutenants of all
ships present were ordered to be promoted ; the East India Company
gave Nelson £10,000 ; the Porte created a new order in honour of
the occasion and made the Hear- Admiral the first member of it ; and
rewards or presents were showered upon the conqueror by the
1 Ultimately commissioned as follows : Canopus, Capt. Bartholomew James ;
Tonnant, Capt. Loftus Otway Bland; Conquerant, Capt. George Clarke; Querrier
(ex Peuph Souverain), Capt. Thomas Stephenson ; Spartiate, Capt. Hon. Charles
Herbert Pierrepont; and Aboukir, Capt. Thomas Bowen.
2 Capt. Edward James Foote, joined on the 17th.
3 Capt. Thomas Moutray Waller, joined on the 13th.
4 Capt. George Hope (1), joined on the 13th.
6 Com. Richard Iletalick, joined on the 13th.
374 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
corporations of London and of Liverpool, by the Sultan, and by
several otber foreign sovereigns.
While on his way to Gibraltar with the prizes, Sir James
Sanmarez fell in, near Malta, with a small Portuguese squadron,
which, under Bear-Admiral the Marques de Niza, had been sent
into the Mediterranean by St. Vincent to reinforce Nelson. On
September 25th, Saumarez and de Niza summoned the French
garrison of Valetta, which, however, declined to submit ; and, being
precluded by the nature of his orders from unnecessarily delaying
his voyage, Sir James contented himself, ere he proceeded, with
putting ashore, for the use of the numerous islanders who were
well disposed to the British, 1200 muskets and a quantity of
ammunition. De Niza remained for a time in the vicinity, and was
presently joined by the Alexander, 74, Captain Alexander John Ball,
Culloden, 74, Captain Thomas Troubridge, and Colossus, 74, Captain
George Murray (3), which had been detached by Nelson from
Naples for the blockade of Malta. That blockade became effective
from about October 12th ; l and on the 24th, Nelson himself, in the
Vanguard, with the Minotaur, 74, Captain Thomas Louis, assumed
immediate command of the blockading force. The French position
in the island was already a precarious one. The garrison, of about
3000 soldiers and seamen, had been driven by the inhabitants, who
occupied Old Valetta under Neapolitan colours, into New Valetta ;
and the invaders were very short of supplies. General Vaubois
commanded the troops, Kear-Admiral Decres commanded the
seamen who had been put ashore, and Bear-Admiral Villeneuve
had under him in the harbour the Guillaume Tell, 80, Diane, 40,
Justice, 40, Athenien, 64,2 Dego, 64,2 and Carthagenaise, 36 ;2 but, on
the other hand, 10,000 Maltese were in arms, and the patriots
possessed not only cannon but also armed galleys' and gunboats.
It was expected, therefore, that Malta would not hold out for very
long, and this expectation seemed to receive some degree of justifica-
tion when, on October 28th, the French garrison of the neighbouring
and dependent island of Gozo capitulated. Captain John Cresswell,
of the Alexander's Marines, hoisted British colours on the castle
and took temporary possession ; and on the day following the place
was handed over to the islanders, the Neapolitan flag was sub-
1 It nominally commenced on September 26th, and lasted till the surrender of Malta
on September 4th, 1800.
" Formerly of the Maltese navy.
1798.] FERDINAND IV. FLEES TO PALERMO. 375
stituted, and the sovereignty of Ferdinand IV. was acknowledged.
From that time forward, however, little progress was made ;
and, for very many months afterwards, the observation of Malta
remained one of the most anxious duties of the British fleet in the
Mediterranean .
In the meantime, the check inflicted on the French arms by the
Battle of the Nile encouraged the tottering Italian kingdoms to
make new struggles for life. As soon, however, as Sardinia made a
movement, the French drove King Charles Emmanuel from the
mainland and occupied Piedmont. The efforts of Naples were not
quite so quickly stifled. The French, indeed, were actually driven
from Rome ; but, in little more than a fortnight, they repossessed
themselves of it, and then marched upon Naples. Despairing of his
ability to resist, and distrusting his own people, Ferdinand IV.,
on December 21st, took refuge on board Nelson's flagship, the
Vanguard, and, five days later, landed at Palermo, the capital of
his Sicilian dominions. Eussia and Turkey were similarly stimulated
to activity, and, by October 10th, their fleets, under Vice-Admiral
Ushakoff l and Cadir Bey, had deprived the French of all their new
acquisitions at the mouth of the Adriatic, except Corfu, where
General Chabot held command, and where there lay in harbour the
Gentreux, 74, her prize, the Leander, 50, the Brune, 28, a bomb, a
brig, and four armed galleys. Ushakoff and Cadir appeared before
that island on October 20th, and presently disembarked troops and
began siege operations ; but, although they gradually reduced the
defenders to greai straits, they could not, or at least did not, prevent
the Genereux from getting away to Ancona ; and, at the end of the
year the French flag still flew over Corfu.2 A reinforcement from
Ancona intended for the island was, however, deterred by the obvious
hopelessness of the French position from attempting a landing.
The French naval force blockaded in Alexandria by the
division under Captain Samuel Hood (2) consisted of the Causse, 64,3
Dubois, 64,3 Junon, 38, Car re re, 38,3 Muiron, 38,3 Alceste, 36,
Courageuse, 36, Leoben, 32,3 Mantoue, 32,3 Montenotte, 32,3 four
brig-corvettes, and nine gunboats, etc.4 These vessels had left
Toulon armed en flute ; but, after having disembarked their troops
1 1'eodor Feodorovitch Ushakoff ; entered the Eussian navy, 1766; fought against
Turkey, 1768-74; retired, 1807; died, 1817.
2 Chabot did not capitulate until March 3rd, 1799.
3 Previously of the Venetian navy.
4 Ganteaume's return of 14 Fructidor (August 31st).
376 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
in Egypt, they had all got up such guns as they had stowed below,
and were once more fully armed. Moreover, as appears from an
official return which was intercepted by the British, they were
fully manned. They were commanded, first by Kear-Admiral
Granteaume,1 and subsequently by Commodore Dumanoir Le Pelley.
Besides the squadron at Alexandria, there were, co-operating with
the army up the Nile, fifteen large gun-vessels under Commodore
Perree. Several gallant deeds were done during the early part
of the blockade ; and some of them must be recorded here.
The Alcmene, on August 22nd, was in the act of capturing the
French gunboat Legere, 6, carrying dispatches for Bonaparte, when
a French officer on board the prize was observed to throw some
papers overboard. Although the Alcmene was travelling at the rate
of nearly six knots, the seamen John Taylor and James Harding
instantly jumped into the water and saved the whole of the papers
at the risk of their lives. Three days later, the boats of the Goliath,
under Lieutenant William Debusk, most bravely cut out in the
small hours of the morning from under the guns of the castle of
Aboukir the armed ketch Torride, 1 . And on September 2nd, after
the French cutter Anemone, 4,2 had been driven ashore, and had
gone to pieces, near Marabou, when it was seen that the crew,
which had got safely ashore, was about to be attacked by a party
of Arabs, boats from the British squadron generously attempted
to rescue the unfortunate Frenchmen. A landing was found to
be impossible, owing to the breakers ; but Midshipman Francis
William Fane,3 of the Emerald, voluntarily swam through the
heavy surf with an empty keg to which a line had been fastened,
and so brought off enseigne de vaisseau Blaise Gaudran and four
men, in spite of the fact that some of the fugitives had actually fired
on the boats which were trying to save them. Many of the rest
were massacred by the natives before the eyes of the British, who
were powerless to interfere.
In October, the Portuguese squadron, under the Marques de
Niza appeared for a short time off Alexandria, but soon returned
to Malta. The Lion, 64, Captain Manley Dixon, which had been
serving with the Portuguese, was left with Hood ; and later in the
month the blockading force was further strengthened by the arrival
1 Commodore until November 7th, 1798, when he was promoted.
2 Six days from Malta, with dispatches, and a few officers and soldiers.
8 Died a Kear-Admiral in 1844.
1798.] CAPTURE OF MIKOBCA. 377
of two Russian frigates, two Turkish corvettes, and sixteen other
Turkish craft, chiefly gunboats. On October 21st, Captain Benjamin
Hallowell, with the Swiftsure and three gunboats, was detached
to attack the castle of Aboukir and a French camp lying on the shores
of Lake Madieh. The Turks being found to be too careful of
their skins, Hallowell sent fifteen of his own men on board each
gunboat ; and from the 25th to the 28th the enemy was daily
annoyed, though no great damage was done on either side. It is
worth noting that the most effective missiles thrown by the gunboats
were certain fireballs and shells which had been taken in the
Spartiate at the battle of the Nile, and that, little suspecting the
origin of these missiles, some French officers went off under a flag
of truce to protest against the employment of such incendiary
projectiles. In December the Turkish and Russian contingents
departed, and the Lion rejoined Nelson ; yet, though Hood was
ultimately left with but two ships of the line1 and one or two
frigates, no attempt was made to drive him from his station.
After the departure eastward of Nelson . and the reinforcements
which followed him, Lord St. Vincent continued to blockade Cadiz
with, upon the whole, much success, although, on April 12th, the
Monarca, 74, with two frigates and a small convoy of merchantmen,
managed to get to sea. The blockade continued throughout the
summer with but little excitement or variety ; and it is probable that
it was his growing familiarity with the lukewarmness of the Spanish
attitude towards France, and with the unenterprising character of
Admiral Massaredo, that induced the Commander-in-Chief, at the
end of October, to weaken his numerically inferior fleet by detaching
a squadron against Minorca. This squadron, commanded by Com-
modore John Thomas Duckworth, and constituted as shown below,2
carried a body of troops under General the Hon. Charles Stuart, and
appeared off Fornello, on the north of the island, on November 7th.
After but slight resistance had been offered, a landing was effected
in the neighbouring creek of Addaya. Fornello was abandoned by
the Spaniards, and the troops quickly took possession of Mercadal,
1 Zealous and Swiftsure.
2 Leviathan, 74, Commodore J. T. Duckworth, Capt. Henry Digby ; Centaur, 14,
Capt. Thomas Markham ; Argo, 44, Capt. James Bowen (1) ; Dolphin, 44, Capt. Josiali
Nisbet (actg.) ; Aurora, 28, Capt. Thomas Gordon Caulfeild; Cormoraiit, 20, Capt.
Lord Mark Robert Kerr ; Petrel, 16, Com. Charles Long ; Ulysses, 44, storeship, Com.
Thomas Pressland ; Calcutta, 24, armed transport, Com. Richard Pouldeu; Coromandel,
24, armed transport, Lieut. Robert Simmonds ; Constitution, hired armed cutter, Lieut.
John Whiston, and several merchant transports.
378 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
thence following up the enemy to Ciudadella and to Mahon. On
November 9th, Fort Carlos, an outpost of the latter town, sur-
rendered ; on the 13th, Duckworth chased off a small Spanish
squadron, and retook from it the late British sloop, Petrel ; l and on
the 15th, the whole island capitulated, together with its garrison
of about 3500 men, an unfinished brig, which was afterwards
completed and named Port Mahon, and several small craft. s In
these excellently managed operations, the British suffered no loss
whatsoever. For the service, General Stuart was made a K.B. ;
but Commodore Duckworth, apparently in consequence of the rather
ungenerous manner in which St. Vincent officially wrote of him,
received no reward whatsoever.
In the North Sea, no great events happened during the year.
The Dutch, taught by the lesson received off Camperdown, and
threatened by largely superior forces, remained in their ports, and
were observed, or blockaded, by a British fleet 3 under Lord Duncan,
and a Russian one * under Vice-Admiral Makaroff. Both in the
Portuguese and in the Eussian contingents, which were co-operating
with the Navy of Great Britain, many British officers served,5 and it
may be said without exaggeration that each contingent owed much
of such efficiency as it possessed to its British Captains.
In distant waters, also, the year 1798 witnessed no very im-
portant transactions. Early in May, the British troops, under
Brigadier-General the Hon. Thomas Maitland, still holding outlying
ports in the western part of San Domingo, evacuated Port au Prince,
Saint Marc, and Aux Cayes, in pursuance of an agreement arrived at
with the republican general Toussaint Louverture, and, together
with those of the inhabitants who desired to leave, were embarked
in British ships of war, and conveyed to Cape Nicolas Mole. A little
later, the position of the French was further strengthened by the
arrival at Cape Frai^ois, with supplies from Europe, of three French
frigates, which, eluding the blockade, safely re-entered Lorient on
December 4th. In September, the Spaniards made repeated attacks
upon the British settlements in the Gulf of Honduras, and especially
upon the approaches to Belize, which was garrisoned by small
1 Belonging to the squadron. She had been captured on the 12th, and owed her
recapture to the Argo, 44.
2 Including fourteen gun-vessels.
3 Of sixteen sail of the line, and many 50-gun ships and frigates.
* Of tea Bail of the line.
5 See lists in James, ii. 181 ; Schomberg, iv. 595.
1799.] THE COMMANDS IN 1799. 379
detachments of the 63rd regiment, and of the 6th West India
regiment, under Lieut.-Colonel Thomas Barrow. The only ship of
the Eoyal Navy in the port was the Merlin, 16, Commander John
Ealph Moss, but the colony had fitted out and armed the gunboats
Tickler, Towzer, and Mermaid, and the schooners Teazer and
Swinger, besides eight gun launches ; and with this force, under the
direction of Captain Moss, the vastly superior Spanish flotilla was
beaten back on September 3rd, 4th, and 5th, off Montego Key ; on the
6th, off St. George's Key ; and on the 10th, in the same neighbour-
hood. On the British side no one was hurt. The Spaniards, whose
loss is unknown, remained off Key Chapel until the 15th, when
they retired, some going to Bacalar and some to Campeche. They
appear to have employed in these futile operations about twenty
schooners and sloops and about ten transports and victuallers,
having on board five hundred seamen and nearly two thousand
troops.
In the year 1799, the chief naval commands at home and abroad
were held as follows : —
Portsmouth Admiral Sir Peter Parker, Bt. (AV).
„ Sept. 14th . . Admiral Mark Milbanke (\V).
Plymouth Admiral Sir Richard King (1), Bt. (B).
„ Mar. 29th . . Vice-Adm. Sir Thomas Pasley, Bt. (R).
The Downs Admiral Joseph Peyton (1), (B).
„ Ap Vice-Adm. Skeffington Lutwidge (R).
The Nore Vice-Adm. Skeffington Lutwidge (R).
„ Ap Vice-Adm. Andrew Mitchell (B).
„ Aug Vice-Adm. Alexander Gramme (W).
Cork Admiral Robert Kingsmill (B).
The Channel Admiral Lord Bridport (W).
The North Sea Admiral Lord Duncan (W).
Lisbon and Mediterranean . . Admiral Lord St. Vincent (W).
„ June. . . . Vice-Adm. Lord Keith (R).
North America Admiral George Vandeput (B).
Newfoundland Vice-Adm. Hon. William Waldegrave (R).
Leeward Islands .... Vice-Adm. Henry Harvey (1), (W).
„ later .... Vice-Adm. Lord Hugh Seymour (B).
Jamaica Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (2), (B).
Cape of Good Hope . . . Vice-Adm. Sir Roger Curtis, Bt. (W).
East Indies Vice-Adm. Peter Rainier (1), (B).
It has been seen that the external preoccupations of France had
been much added to by reason of her sudden attack upon Egypt in
the previous year ; that Sardinia and Naples, though with no great
success, had recommenced active hostilities against her; and that
Turkish and Russian fleets had been provoked into aiding her other
380 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
foes in the Mediterranean. In 1799, Austria joined the coalition
against the Eepublic. But the exertions of France grew greater as
the number of her enemies increased. She laid down many new
ships ; she stinted herself to pay the arrears of wages due to her
seamen ; and Vice-Admiral Bruix,1 her Minister of Marine, himself
went to Brest to accelerate the preparations, and to take command
of the rapidly increasing fleet in that port.
The British squadron off Brest during the earlier part of the year
consisted of but eight or nine sail of the line detached from the
Channel Fleet and successively commanded by Vice-Admiral Sir
Charles Thompson, Bart., Vice-Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour, and
Rear-Admiral the Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley. On April 16th,
though chased by this squadron, a large and valuable French convoy
succeeded in getting into the harbour ; and on the following day
Lord Bridport, arriving in the Royal George, 110, with five or six
other ships, himself assumed the command of the watching force.
In the forenoon of the 25th, Bridport, who had with him or near
him sixteen sail of the line and three or four frigates, looked into
Brest, and saw thirteen French ships of the line at anchor, and five
more under way in Bertheaume road, as if preparing to put to sea
with the fresh north-east wind which was then blowing. It is
difficult to guess what were the conclusions of the British Corn-
mander-in-Chief ; but it is probable that he believed that if the
French really put to sea, Ireland would be their destination. Be
that as it may, he made sail at 2 P.M. to the W.N.W. ; and at 4 P.M.
he was about twelve miles W.S.W. of Ushant. That evening, while
Bridport had thus for a time lost touch of his foe, Bruix left port
with a fleet which, after it had been joined on the following day by
one or two vessels that were late in weighing, consisted of twenty-
five ships of the line, five frigates, and several small craft, — one of
the best manned and best found fleets that ever issued from a
French harbour.
At 9 A.M. on the 26th, when part of this fleet was rounding
the Saintes, it was discovered by Captain Percy Fraser, of the
Nymphe, 36, who at once made all sail to rejoin Lord Bridport, but
who, in doing so, lost sight of the enemy. At 1 P.M. Fraser signalled
1 Eustache Bruix ; born 1759 ; obliged to quit the Navy at the Revolution ;
rejoined it and served under Yillaret-Joyeuse ; as Minister of Marine took the Brest
fleet to the assistance of Massena at Genoa; returned with it in safety; commanded
the Invasion Flotilla ; resigned because of ill-health ; died 1805.
1799.] BRUIX AND KEITH. 381
his intelligence to the Dragon, 74, Captain George Campbell, and
the Dragon instantly repeated it to the Commander-in-Chief, who
immediately steered again for Brest, to find, at noon on the 27th,
that Bruix had vanished. Bridport instantly sent off dispatches to
England, directing reinforcements to join him off Cape Clear ; to
Lord Keith,1 off Cadiz ; and to Lord St. Vincent, off Gibraltar ; and
then made the best of his way towards the coast of Cork, which he
sighted on the 30th, and where he found ships which augmented his
fleet to twenty-six sail of the line. Unhappily, the conviction,
which he had by that time certainly formed, that Bruix was bound
for Ireland, was fortified by the perusal of some dispatches which
had been taken on the 27th in the French chasse-maree Rebecca, 16,
by the hired armed lugger Black Joke, 10, Lieut. James Nicolson,
and which had been deliberately prepared for the purpose of being
captured. While, therefore, Bridport remained off the Irish coast,
Bruix was able, unhampered, to steer across the Bay of Biscay
before a fine north wind.
St. Vincent, who was in bad health, had delegated the active
work of the blockade of Cadiz, where Admiral Massaredo still lay,
to a force varying from eleven to fifteen sail of the line under Vice-
Admiral Lord Keith. Keith made occasional trips to Tetuan to
water his ships, but, upon his return, invariably found the Spaniards
where he had left them. On May 3rd he was off the port when he
was joined by the Childers, 14, Commander James Coutts Crawford,
with news that five Spanish sail of the line had left Ferrol ;2 and by
the Success, 32, Captain Shuldham Peard, with the still more
important intelligence that the Brest fleet had been seen at noon on
May 1st about one hundred miles west of Oporto steering S.W. by S.
Keith, who then had with him fifteen ships of the line and no frigate
save the Success, instantly weighed and prepared for action, at the
same time sending the Childers, with three transports under her
convoy, to Lord St. Vincent at Gibraltar. The fleet stood off and
on with a fresh N.W. breeze until 8.30 A.M. on May 4th, when
the French were sighted about fifteen miles to the W.N.W. At
10 A.M. the Majestic, 74, Captain Eobert Cuthbert, signalled that
they numbered thirty- three sail. At about that time they wore from
the rear, and formed on the port tack with their heads to the N.E.,
the British soon afterwards forming on the same tack ; but a little
1 Second in command of the Lisbon and Mediterranean station.
2 These ships, failing to fall in with Bruix, ultimately put in to Rochefort.
382 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
later, when the wind had very much increased, the enemy wore
again, and stood S.W. By 5 P.M., owing to the mist and spray, the
French were almost invisible from the flagship Barfleur. As the
gale blew right into Cadiz, it was impossible for Massaredo to come
out ; but, on the other hand, nothing could be more favourable for
the French, who obviously desired to pass the Strait. On the 5th,
at break of day, four more French ships, stragglers from the main
fleet, were sighted by the British, to windward of whom they passed
at a distance of about seven miles ; and, in the afternoon of the
same day, twenty-six sail of the enemy, of which at least nineteen
were of the line, were observed from Gibraltar,1 bound eastward
through the Strait.'2
The immediate object of the French Government, and of Bruix,
was to effect in the Mediterranean as large a concentration of
men-of-war as possible, and then, by employing overwhelming force,
to again oust the British, who, since the battle of the Nile, had
resumed their activity and influence in that sea, and to re-open
communications with Egypt. There is no evidence that Bruix, in
the prosecution of this plan, ever thought of entering3 Cadiz. The
idea seems rather to have been that when the French fleet should
show itself off those Spanish ports in which lay men-of-war ready
for sea, the Spanish vessels should go out, and join the great
armament which was bound for Toulon. Five sail of the line had
quitted Ferrol in accordance with this scheme, but had missed
Bruix and had found their way to Eochefort. The ships in Cadiz,
as has been seen, had been prevented by the state of the weather
from leaving port. The French, in consequence, having failed to
pick up any reinforcements4 on their way, did not acquire that
overwhelming superiority of force which was necessary for the
complete fulfilment of their ambitions. Yet the appearance of Bruix
within the Strait once more rendered the British position in the
Mediterranean most precarious ; for, though St. Vincent's command
was formidable, it was scattered ; and several of the detached
1 There was at the time no effective British force at the Rock. St. Vincent had his
flag in the guardship Guerrier ; and Eear-Adm. Thomas Lenox Frederick was living
on shore.
2 It entered Toulon on May 13th, without serious adventure.
3 Brenton says that he "wished to enter" it, but produces no evidence to that
effect, i. 478.
4 Instead of gaining, they actually lost strength, on their voyage ; for certainly the
Censeur, 74, and possibly two other French ships as well, suffered so much in the bad
weather of the 4th as to be obliged to run for Cadiz.
1799.] CONCENTRATION OF ST. VINCENT'S COMMAND. 383
divisions of it were liable to be surprised and cut off ere they could
be warned of what had happened. So soon, therefore, as the Com-
mander-in-Chief learnt, by the arrival of the Childers at Gibraltar,
of the movements of the French, he took steps to concentrate his
forces. Keith was still off Cadiz with his fifteen sail of the line ;
the Edgar, 74, Captain John M'Dougall, was at Tetuan ; Duckworth,
with four sail of the line, was at Minorca ; other vessels were at
GEORGE KEITH ELPHIX8TONE, VISCOUNT KEITH, K.B., F.R.S., ADMIRAL OF THE BED.
(.From a drawing by J. Jackson, after a portrait bij G. Saunders, painted when hix Lordship was an
Admiral of the White.)
Palermo with Nelson ; yet others were with Ball blockading Malta ;
and yet others were at Alexandria. Keith's squadron, and the
Edgar, were ordered to join the Admiral at Gibraltar ; and the other
detached commands were communicated with , and directed as to the
course which was to be pursued in certain contingencies ; but Keith,
and the Edgar, did not reach Gibraltar until May 10th ; and not
until the morning of the 12th was St. Vincent able to weigh and
38 1 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
bear up for the Mediterranean with the sixteen sail of the line
named in the note.1 On the 17th and 18th he encountered bad
weather ; but on the 20th he was off Minorca, and was joined
by Bear-Admiral John Thomas Duckworth, with the four 74's
Leviathan, Centaur, Bellerophon, and Powerful. That night he
anchored in Port Mahon.
In the meantime, encouraged by the knowledge that a strong
French fleet was to the eastward of him, and by the disappearance
of the blockading force under Keith, Admiral Massaredo had, on
May 14th, put to sea from Cadiz with seventeen sail of the line.
The bad weather of the 17th and 18th did him more harm than it
did to St. Vincent ; and when, on the 20th, he struggled into
Cartagena, nine of his seventeen ships of the line were more or
less dismasted, three of them, besides a frigate, having lost every
stick.
St. Vincent, who by that time knew that Bruix had reached
his port, weighed from Mahon on May 22nd, and made sail for
Toulon ; but, on the 26th, in consequence, so James believes, of
information that the Spaniards were at Cartagena, he altered course
to the westward, so as to place himself between Massaredo and
Bruix, and, from the 27th to the 30th, cruised off Cape de Creus.
On the 30th he received news that the French had left Toulon on
the 27th, and, fearing for Nelson at Palermo, he at once detached
Bear-Admiral Duckworth, with the Leviathan, 74, Fcudroyant, 80,
Northumberland, 74, and Majestic, 74, to reinforce him there. Later
on the same day the Commander-in-Chief was joined by Bear-
Admiral James Hawkins Whitshed, with the Queen Charlotte, 100,
Captain, 74, Defiance, 74, Bellona, 74, and Repulse, 64 ; and, with
the twenty-one sail of the line thus at his disposal, he cruised down
the Spanish coast until he was off Barcelona, and then returned to
the north-east, having seen nothing of the enemy. By that time
St. Vincent's health was in such a bad state that, on June 2nd, his
lordship, in the Ville de Paris,2 quitted the fleet, the charge of which
1 Ville de Paris, 110 (flag of Adm. Lord St. Vincent) ; Barfleur, 98 (flag of Vice-
Adm. Lord Keith) ; Prince George, 98 (flag of Vice-Adm. Sir William Parker (1) Bt.) ;
Princess Roijal, 98 (flag of Bear- Adm. Thomas Lenox Frederick); London, 98;
Namiir,SO; Foudroyant, 80 ; Gibraltar, 80 ; Edgar, 74; Mon tagu, 74 ; Karthumb r-
land, 74; Marlborough, 74; Warrior, 74; Hector, 74; De/emcf,C74; and Majestic, 74.
2 James reproaches St. Vincent for having thus withdrawn a 110-gun ship from the
fleet, when a frigate would have answered. But St. Vincent was very feeble, and could
ill bear transfer from ship to ship, while, in addition, frigates were scarce.
1799.] KEITH MISSES THE FRENCH. 385
he handed over to Lord Keith, and proceeded to Port Mahon,
whence he determined to go home.
Keith continued towards Toulon, and, on the 3rd, when he
was close off the port, his advanced ships, the Centaur, 74,
Captain John Markham, and Montagu, 74, Captain John Knight,
captured four settees, from the people in which it was learnt that
the French fleet had gone to the eastward. Eastward, therefore,
Keith also went ; and on the 15th he was informed by the hired
armed brig Telegraph, Commander James Andrew Worth,1 that
on the previous evening the enemy had been seen at anchor in
Vado Bay, near Savona.2 The British headed in that direction, and
on the 6th were fired at in passing by some small island forts off
Antibes. On the 8th, however, ere he could enter the Gulf of Genoa,
Keith received three separate dispatches from St. Vincent at Port
Mahon, ordering him to send off two additional 74's to Nelson, and
then, with the rest of the fleet, to proceed to Eosas Bay, on the
north-east coast of Spain, so as to be ready to intercept the French
who, he had reason to believe, were on their way to join the
Spaniards in Cartagena.3 The Vice-Admiral, therefore, detached the
Bellerophon and Powerful to Palermo, and crowded sail to the south-
west. But instead of making direct for Eosas Bay, he steered for
Cape de la Mola in Minorca, off which he was joined on June 15th
by the Ville de Paris* He then went to the northward, and on the
19th, when he was about sixty miles south of Cape Sicie, his
advanced division, consisting of the Centaur, 74, Captain John
Markham, Bellona, 74, Captain Sir Thomas Boulden Thompson,
Captain, 74, Captain Sir Eichard John Strachan, Emerald, 36,
Captain Thomas Moutray Waller, and Santa Teresa, 42, Captain
George Barker, were so fortunate as to capture a French squadron,
bound from Jaffa to Toulon, and made up of the Junon, 40 (bearing
1 He had been so promoted on March 29th, but still held what was only a Lieu-
tenant's command.
2 This news, so far as the French fleet itself was concerned, was incorrect. There
were probably transports at Vado ; but the fleet had left the bay on the 1st or 2nd.
3 Keith's lack of success during this cruise is attributed by Dundonald to the
manner in which St. Vincent hampered him, and to the Commander-in-ChiePs pro-
fessional jealousy. ' Autobiog. of a Seaman' (Ed. 1861), i. 84, 85. Dundonald was-
in Keith's flagship at the time; but he wrongly states that St. Vincent ordered Keith
to return to Port Mahon, instead of to Rosas Bay, and so somewhat vitiates the value
of his testimony.
4 St. Vincent remained at Port Mahon, preparing to go home. On the 14th Keith
had shifted his flag to the Queen Charlotte, and Whitshed his to the Barfleur.
VOL. IV. 2 C
386 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
the flag of Rear-Admiral Perree), Alceste, 36, Courageuse, 32,
Salamine, 18, and Alerte, 14.1 Lord Keith cruised off Toulon until
June 23rd, and, seeing no more of the enemy, looked into Vado Bay
on the 24th, and into Genoa on the 26th : but, still learning nothing
fresh concerning his foe, he next headed for Minorca.
The French fleet, then including twenty-two sail of the line, had
indeed quitted Toulon on May 27th, and had gone to the eastward.
On the 31st it had anchored in Vado Bay, there landing troops and
stores for the relief of Savona, which was besieged by the Russians
and Austrians. On June 3rd it had appeared off Genoa ; and
it had remained there until the 6th, when it had made sail to the
westward. On the 9th it had passed in sight of Toulon ; and
on the 22nd it had arrived off Cartagena. If, therefore, Keith, upon
receiving St. Vincent's orders on June 8th, had proceeded with the
greatest possible despatch direct for Rosas Bay, it is more than
possible that he would have fallen in with the French, and would
have been able either to bring them to action or to prevent them
from uniting with the Spaniards. The Vice-Admiral's reasons for
not implicitly obeying the instructions of the Commander-in-Chief
have never received adequate explanation. But, so far as British
interests in the Mediterranean were concerned, Keith's conduct,
though it may have deprived him of a victory, led to no immediately
baneful results. The allies, no doubt, knew that Keith had with
him nineteen sail of the line ; that Nelson, Ball, and Troubridge
had fifteen (besides two or three Portuguese 74's) ; and that sixteen
sail of the line had been detached from the Channel Fleet for
Lisbon and the Mediterranean. Although, therefore, the French
and Spaniards in Cartagena numbered 40 2 sail of the line ready
for sea, their leaders appear to have arrived at the conclusion that
that huge fleet would find a more untrammelled field for action
in the Atlantic than in the Mediterranean ; and, after they had
transferred to a flotilla of transports a body of about five thousand
troops destined for Majorca, they quitted Cartagena in company on
June 24th, when Keith was off Vado, and headed for the Strait
of Gibraltar.
Keith reached Minorca from Genoa on July 6th; but he was
1 These were all added to the Navy, the Junon as the Princess Charlotte (later the
Andromache}, the Alerte as the Minorca, and the rest under their old names.
2 In addition, two 74's, which had been left under repair at Toulon, eventually
joined the allies.
1799.] THE ALLIES ENTER BREST. 387
still in ignorance of the movements of the enemy. On the 7th, he
was joined by twelve l out of sixteen 2 ships of the line which had
been detached to him from the Channel Fleet.3 A day later, news
reached him that the junction, of which St. Vincent had forewarned
him, had been effected between Bruix and Massaredo ; and on the
10th, he weighed and went in pursuit, after having sent orders
to Nelson to detach ships for the protection of Minorca.4 On
July 26th, the British put into Tetuan for water ; and on the 29th
they made Gibraltar, to find that the allies had passed the Strait
three weeks ahead of them.
The allies had, in fact, passed on July 7th, capturing on their
way the British hired cutter Penelope, 18, Lieut. Frederick Lewis
Maitland, which had been sent out of harbour to reconnoitre, and
which, unfortunately, had on board a considerable sum of money.
On the 10th and two following days the enemy entered Cadiz, and
on the 21st they sailed once more, bound for Brest. As they were
leaving port, the Santa Ana, 112, grounded, and was with difficulty
floated again. Being leaky, she was sent back under convoy of the
Mexico/no, 112 ; and Admiral Massaredo proceeded with fifteen sail
of the line, Bruix having twenty-five.6 In the afternoon of
July 30th, an easterly wind sprang up, and Keith, with his thirty-
•one sail of the line, continued the pursuit. On August 8th, when
off Cape Finisterre, he fell in with a Danish vessel which had passed
through the allied fleets two days earlier. On the 9th, he was met
by the Stag, 36, Captain Joseph Sydney Yorke, with news that the
allies had been seen off Cape Ortegal, steering north-east. On the
14th, when he detached Sir Edward Pellew to look into Brest, that
•officer saw the French and Spaniards moored in the road. They
had arrived only on the previous day, so that Lord Keith, in the
chase, had almost overtaken them.
1 Prince, 98 (flag of Rear-Adm. Sir Charles Cotton) ; Triumph, 74 (flag of Rear-
Adm. Cuthbert Collingwood) ; Formidable, 98; St. George, 98; Neptune, 98;
Glory, 98 ; Dragon, 74 ; Impetueux, 74 ; Terrible, 74 ; Superb, 74 ; Pompee, 74 ;
and Canada, 74.
2 The other four ships had put into the Tagus, to escort thence a convoy and the
Nile prizes. They were the Royal Sovereign, 110 (flag of Admiral Sir Alan Gardner) ;
Ciesar, 80 ; Magnificent, 74 ; and Russell, 74.
3 It is remarkable that these ships did not sight the allies. They must, at one
time, have been very near them.
4 Nelson deliberately disobeyed this order, although it was more than once
repeated.
5 This number included the Alliance, 74 (ex San Sebastian), which had been
.presented by Spain to the Republic to take the place of the unseaworthy Censeur.
2 c 2
388 MA JOS OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
This cruise of Bruix was, in many respects, a very remark-
able one ; but, owing rather to the vacillating plans of the
French and Spanish leaders than to any strategy on the part of
the, British Admirals, it was practically futile. It has been sug-
gested that Bruix, after he had joined the Spaniards, would have
sought and fought Keith, had he not seen signs which con-
vinced him that Massaredo's ships were not to be depended
upon. This explanation may be correct. There was no reason
to believe that the fighting quality of the Spanish navy had
improved since the day of the battle of St. Vincent ; and, although
Keith had showed himself but a poor strategist, it was notorious
that his fleet was in a most efficient state. If, therefore, he, with
his thirty-one sail of the line, had been offered an opportunity
of trying conclusions with the forty or forty-two sail of the allied
line, he would almost certainly have defeated them. But, though
he was the man to have won a victory, he was, unhappily, not
the man to find the enemy and to force him, against his will,
to fight.
It should be added that the arrival at Rochefort of the five
Spanish ships of the line l from Ferrol, and the southward course
of the Brest fleet,2 had been promptly reported to Admiral Lord
Bridport, who then lay in Berehaven, waiting for the anticipated
French invasion of Ireland ; and that, in pursuance of orders from
the Admiralty, he had, on June 1st, detached Admiral Sir Alan
Gardner, with the sixteen sail of the line named in the notes on
page 387 to reinforce Lord St. Vincent.
This detachment left Lord Bridport with but ten sail of the line
under his immediate orders. He sailed, also on June 1st, for
Basque road, and, on June 4th, sighted the Spanish squadron,
which, as soon as it perceived him, moved to the road of Aix. The
Admiral remained off Eochefort until the 8th, when he returned
to England with the Boyal George, 100, Atlas, 98, Achilles, 74, and
Agincourt, 64, leaving, as a blockading force, the six 74-gun ships
Mars (flag of Bear- Admiral the Hon. George Cranfield Berkeley),
Venerable, Benown, Ajax, Eamillies, and Robust. Within the next
few weeks, this squadron was joined by the Sans Pareil, 80, the
1 These had been watched by the Indefatigable, 44, Captain the Hon. Henry
Curzon, from April 28th, when they left port, till April 30th. The news of their
having entered Rochefort was brought by another cruiser.
2 Reported by the Childers, which had been sent home from Gibraltar by Lord
St. Vincent.
1799.] POLE IN A IX ROADS. 389
Royal George, 100 (then bearing the flag of Rear-Admiral Charles
Morice Pole), and several bombs and small craft ; and, on the other
hand, the Mars and Eaniillies parted company. On July 2nd, Pole
made an attack upon the Spanish ships, which were moored in line
ahead between the Isle of Aix and the Boyart shoal, and which
were protected by a floating mortar battery ; but it was soon found
that the French mortars were of so much greater range than the
British that, while the latter could not reach their target at all,
the former threw shells well over not only the British bombs but
also the covering frigates. When, therefore, the enemy, finding
that he could not be injured, began to assume the offensive, and
to send gunboats to inflict additional annoyance upon the attacking
party, both frigates and bombs were ordered to weigh and stand out.
They were followed, for a time, by the hostile gunboats; and, in
consequence, the French claimed the affair as a British defeat ; but
the fact is that on neither side was there any loss or damage.1
For some time afterwards, the Spaniards were blockaded, but in
the middle of September they managed to put to sea. They first
endeavoured to enter Brest, but, finding it too well watched,
returned at last to Ferrol. During the absence of Bruix, five
additional French sail of the line had been commissioned at Brest,
so that, after his return with Massaredo, no fewer than forty-seven
ships of the line 2 lay in the port, ready for service ; yet, strange
to say, this immense fleet made no further movement during 1799.
In the meantime great events were in progress in that part
of the Mediterranean which had fallen to Nelson's command. In
January the French had captured Capua and Naples; in March
they had seized Florence and Leghorn, and, while Ferdinand of
Naples had retired to Palermo, Charles Emmanuel of Sardinia
had fled to Cagliari ; the Grand Duke of Tuscany had sought refuge
in Austria ; and the Pope had been taken prisoner.3 On the other
hand, the Russians and Turks had completed the reduction of the
1 The British ships present at this harmless affair were : Royal George, 100, Kear-
Adm. Charles Morice Pole, Captain William Domett; Sans Pareil, 80, Captain
William Browell ; Venerable, 74, Captain Sir William George Fairfax ; Renown, 74,
Captain Albemarle Bertie; Ajax, 74, Captain Hon. Alexander Inglis Cochrane ;
Robust, 74, Captain Herbert Sawyer; Boadicea, 38, Captain Richard Goodwin Keats;
Uranie, 38, Captain George Henry Towry ; San Fiorenzo, 36, Captain Sir Harry
Uurrard Neale ; Unicorn, 32, Captain Philip Wilkinson ; Sylph, 18, Commander John
Chambers White ; and the bombs Sulphur, Explosion, and Volcano.
2 Besides nearly forty frigates and corvettes.
3 He died soon afterwards at Valence.
390 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
Ionian Islands, capturing at Corfu, which capitulated on March 3rd,
the Leander, 50, and the Brune, 28. The former, which had been
taken by the French from the British, was restored by the Tsar
to her original owners. Later in the year, an Austrian army,
assisted by Russian and Turkish squadrons, retook Ancona.
Before he was reinforced, Nelson occupied himself at Palermo
in inducing the authorities to mount in the batteries guns which
had been brought from Naples, and to fit out a number of gunboats.
Troubridge joined him from Alexandria on March 18th, with his own
ship, the Culloden, 74 ; the Zealous, 74, Captain Samuel Hood (2) ;
the Swiftsure, 74, Captain Benjamin Hallowell ; the Seahorse, 38,
Captain Edward James Foote ; the Perseus, bomb, Commander
James Oswald, and the Bulldog, bomb, Commander Adam Drurn-
mond. The Minotaur, 74, Captain Thomas Louis, also joined on
the 24th ; whereupon Nelson, on the 31st, despatched Troubridge
with the Culloden, Zealous, Swiftsure, Minotaur, SeaJiorse, Perseus,
Bulldog, and the Portuguese Sao Sebastiao. 74, to blockade Naples.
The squadron anchored in the bay on April 2nd, and, on the part
of King Ferdinand, quietly took possession of Procida, Ischia, Capri,
and the Ponza Islands. But on May 13th Nelson hurriedly recalled
Troubridge to Palermo, in consequence of having received in-
telligence 1 that the fleet of Bruix had passed the Strait of Gibraltar
and was in the Mediterranean. Nelson also sent on the disquieting
news to Captain Ball, who was off Malta with the Alexander, 74,
Goliath, 74, and, perhaps, a Portuguese ship of the line ; and to the
Eussian Admiral. Troubridge, who, by direction, left his small
craft to take care of the newly surrendered islands, joined the Rear-
Admiral on the 17th with the Culloden, Swiftsure, and Sao Sebastiao,
the Minotaur following on the 20th, and another Portuguese 74,
the Sao Affonso, arriving. Nelson previously had with him his
flagship the Vanguard, 74, Captain Thomas Masterman Hardy, a
Portuguese, 74 (Principe Eeal), and a frigate, and the Haarlem, 64
(en flute), Captain George Burlton ; and with these ships he cruised
for several days off the western end of Sicily, being joined in the
meantime by the Zealous, 74, and the Lion, 64, Captain Manley
Dixon. On the 30th he returned and re-anchored off Palermo.
The Audacious, 74, Captain Davidge Gould, arrived on June 1st ;
1 The Espoir, 14, Com. James Sanders, reached Palermo on the 12th, with news
that the French bad been seen off Oporto ; and an officer who had travelled through
Sicily reported on the 13th that they had passed Gibraltar.
1799.] POSITION OF THE FItENGH AT NAPLES. 391
and on June 7th the squadron was further reinforced by Bear-
Admiral John Thomas Duckworth,1 with the Foudroyant, 80,
Captain William Brown (1), Leviathan, 74 (flag), Captain Henry
Digby, Northumberland, 74, Captain George Martin (2), and
Majestic, 74, Captain George Hope (1). On the 8th, Nelson shifted
his flag to the Foudroyant, taking Captain Hardy with him. Captain
Brown exchanged to the Vanguard. The whole squadron put
to sea on the 13th, and met on the 14th with the Bellerophon, 74,
Captain Henry d'Esterre Darby, and Powerful, 74, Captain William
O'Brien Drury,2 its total strength being thus brought up to sixteen
sail of the line, of which thirteen were British. Unfortunately
Nelson had with him no frigates ; and although he cruised off Sicily
and did his best to learn something of the whereabouts of the enemy,
he was able to discover little or nothing. His small craft, the
Seahorse, 38, Captain Edward James Foote (senior officer), Perseus,
bomb, Commander James Oswald, Mutine, 14, Commander William
Hoste, and San Leon, 16, Commander John Harward, were in the
Bay of Naples ; and the Espoir, 14, and Bulldog, bomb, appear
to have been detached elsewhere.
On shore the French were by that time hard pressed. Count
Alexander Suwaroff, with a very large Austro-Bussian army, had
entered Italy in April, and was triumphantly moving southward :
Cardinal Buffo defeated the Bepublicans on June 5th near Naples ;
and on June 14th and 15th Bivigliano and Castellamare surrendered
to Captain Foote, it being agreed that the garrisons should inarch
out with the honours of war, and that any part of them might claim
and receive the protection of the British flag.3 This arrangement
left the forts of Castel del' Uovo, Castel Nuovo, and Castel St. Elmo
as the sole points still in the possession of the French at Naples.4
On June 17th, the Seahorse and Perseus proceeded off Castel
1 Detached by St. Vincent on May 30th.
2 Detached by Keith on June 8th.
3 Curiously enough, my researches into what really happened at Naples on this
occasion led me, in the summer of 1897, to consult certain new evidence, which, I
since find, has also been consulted by Mr. F. P. Badham (' Eug. Hist. Rev.', Ap. 1898).
I was directed to most of these authorities by a paper in the Ricista Marittima — a
valuable storehouse of facts and suggestions bearing upon the naval history of the
Italian States. The results arrived at do not materially touch the conclusions of
James and the contentions of Capt. Foote ; but, as they throw so unfavourable a
light upon Nelson's action, and as much of the evidence seems to have escaped the
attention of Mahan, I give fuller references than usual. For a few points, which might
otherwise have escaped me, I am indebted to Mr. Badham's paper.
4 See chart on following page.
392
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1799.
del' Uovo ; and on the following day Captain Foote, who had been
directed to co-operate with Ruffo, the Sicilian commander-in-chief
on shore, sent in Commander Oswald to offer British protection
to the commandant and garrison. The commandant declined the
honour ; and Foote thereupon informed Ruffo, who was the king's
vicar-general, of his intention at once to attack the fort. Ruffo
appearing to concur, the attack was begun on the 19th ; but scarcely
had it commenced ere Foote, to his astonishment, received from the
Cardinal a letter begging him to desist, and not to resume hostilities
so long as a flag of truce remained flying, for that negotiations were
.^ ~"X1»_ai>r- ^^x-
1^" mjqfrtSt^*^f49^&pqfp^fa*^^
in progress. Foote acquiesced ; but that night he sent an officer
to the Cardinal, protesting against so long a suspension of hostilities,
and asserting his right to be kept informed of Ruffo's proceedings.
The Cardinal answered that the negotiations were being conducted
by Micheroux, a Russian officer serving with the Neapolitans on
shore, and that Micheroux would furnish the particulars ; and upon
Foote refusing to act with Micheroux, of whom he knew nothing,
Ruffo declared that he was ignorant of what was going on. This,
of course, was very unsatisfactory ; but on the 20th, when the
Cardinal sent to Foote terms of capitulation which already had been
signed by himself and Micheroux, and begged the British officer
to affix his signature, the latter, anxious to further what seemed
1799.] NELSON AT NAPLES. 393
to be the interests of King Ferdinand, complied, declaring, however,
that he considered the terms to be unduly easy.
The document, which stipulated for the capitulation both of
Uovo and of Nuovo, was ultimately signed also by the Turkish
representative on the spot, and approved by Colonel Mejan, the
French officer commanding at St. Elmo. It specified, among other
things, that the garrisons, chiefly Neapolitan rebels, and about
one thousand five hundred in number, should march out with
military honours ; that their private property should be respected ;
that they might either remain in Naples or embark in cartels
for Toulon ; that, until the cartels should be ready, the garrisons
should retain possession of the forts ; and that, pending the receipt
from Toulon of a report that the persons to be despatched thither
had arrived, four hostages should be detained at St. Elmo.
Preparations were accordingly made for sending away the garri-
sons ; transports were assembled ; and on both sides flags of truce
remained hoisted ; but the arrangement had not been entirely carried
into effect, when, on June 24th, Lord Nelson,1 with his whole
squadron entered the bay, the Foudroyant flying a signal annulling
the flag of truce. In the course of the afternoon, at a conference 2
at which not only Nelson and Buffo, but also Sir William Hamilton,
British ambassador to the court of Naples, and his wife, were
present, the Cardinal warmly held that the treaty ought to be most
scrupulously observed, the Bear-Admiral as warmly maintaining that
a settlement entered into with rebels ought not to have any validity
so long as it was not expressly approved by King Ferdinand. Buffo
thereupon retired. When, in the evening, Foote went on board
the flagship, Nelson gave him all credit for his zeal and good
intentions, but said that he had been imposed upon by the Cardinal,
and that Buffo was not loyal to his sovereign.3 Foote excused
himself for having signed the capitulation by pointing out that
1 He had left Palermo on June 21st.
2 For accounts of this : see Sacchinelli, ' Mem. s. vita del Card. Ruffo ' ; ' Nel.
Disps.,' iii. 390; Sic. Papers, P.R.O., xlv. ; and Harrison, 'Life of Kelson' (Lady
Hamilton's version).
3 Nelson wrote to this effect to the king at Palermo, and on June 30th received
authority to arrest the Cardinal if necessary ; but Ruffo eventually gave way to the
Hear-Admiral. It is certain that until the 30th Nelson had no power to arrest,
supersede, or override the Cardinal. ' Nel. Disps.,' vii. addenda, p. 18f> ; ' Morrison
Coll.,' 405; Sic. Papers, P.R.O., xlv.; 'Borboni di Napoli,' iv. 92; 'Rose's Diaries,'
i. 230. The dispatches giving Nelson power over Ruflb and enjoining the latter to
obey were dated June 27th.
394 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
when he had signed it he had thought it far more probable that
a French than that a British fleet was in the neighbourhood ; and
he excused himself for having been guided by Buffo by pointing
out that, since the Cardinal was in high authority, it was but
natural to assume that he had his sovereign's confidence and was
acting in his sovereign's interests.
On the 26th, in spite of what had occurred, the garrisons, in
conformity with the treaty, having liberated their prisoners,
marched out with the honours of war, grounded their arms, and,
with but few exceptions, went on board the small transports,1
fourteen in number, which had been prepared to carry them to
Toulon. They believed, of course, that they were to go thither.
Instead, by Nelson's orders, they were detained, pending King
Ferdinand's decision as to what should be done with them.
Nelson's conduct in all this unfortunate business was not, it must
be admitted, quite that of a man of scrupulous honour. When he
arrived before Naples, the treaty was already signed, and had already
been so far executed that the gate (Porta Beale) leading to Castel
Nuovo had been surrendered ; the garrisons had released their
British prisoners ; some of the non-emigrating part of the garrisons
had left the forts ; and the stipulated hostages had been lodged
in St. Elmo.2 It had been represented to Nelson by Buffo that
if the treaty had to be annulled, the only just way of annulling
it, and the only way which would insure the safety of the
hostages, was by restoring the status quo ante.3 Achmet, the
Turkish, and Baillie, the Bussian military commander, had both
protested that to violate the treaty would be to outrage public
faith.4 Moreover, Nelson had no legal power, even though he
knew that the arrangement was contrary to the wishes of the
king, to go behind Buffo's action. Yet, impelled by his zeal in the
cause, stimulated by his dislike and suspicions of the Cardinal, and
not restrained by Hamilton, the man who ought to have been a
guardian of British honour, Nelson, misusing his might, took
back the pledges which Buffo and Foote had given. Nay, he did
1 There is some slight evidence that part embarked as early as the 23rd. Foote,
' Vind.,' 193 ; Hamilton to Grenville, July 14th ; Pepe, ' Mems.,' i. ] 05 (1847).
2 Foote, ' Vindic.,' 48 ; Hamilton to Grenville, July 14th ; memorial of Bicciardi in
Williams's ' Sketch of Manners,' ii. 325 ; ' Arch. stor. per le Prov. Napol.' (1888), 72 ;
Add. MSS., B.M., 34,912. The evidence is overwhelming.
3 'Mem. del Card. Ruffo,' 254, 264.
4 Jbid., 251.
1799.] NELSON AT NAPLES. 395
worse ; for it can, unhappily, be shown that he permitted the
garrisons to go on carrying out the provisions of the treaty in all
good faith, after he had decided that he, on his part, would not
be bound by them. Nelson, it is admitted, signalled to Foote on
June 24th annulling the flag of truce, and declared that, instead of
observing the treaty, he would attack the forts : but we know that
Buffo refused to be a party to anything of the kind, and that the
refusal induced the Kear- Admiral to abandon the project. It is
admitted, too, that on the 25th, Nelson wrote a message which
was to be sent to the forts by Buffo, and in which it was stated
that the garrisons would not be allowed to embark ; but we know
that Buffo declined to transmit this message ; and, although Nelson,
after his conduct had been publicly called in question, asserted1
that he had thereupon forwarded the message direct, his ex parte
assertion not only stands without corroboration, but is distinctly
contradicted by a large mass of circumstantial evidence.2 Con-
ceding, however, that Nelson, up to the evening of the 25th, had
no thought of leaving the garrisons under any misapprehension,
how is it possible that there can be two opinions concerning his
attitude on and after the 26th? On that day Hamilton wrote to
Buffo :-
" Lord Nelson begs me to assure your Eminence that he is resolved to do nothing
which can break the armistice which your Eminence has accorded to the chateaux
of Naples." 3
And, in reply to some comment or question from Buffo, Nelson
himself wrote on the same day :—
" I am just honoured with your Eminence's letter ; and as Sir W. Hamilton wrote
this morning that I will not on any consideration break the armistice entered into by
you, I hope your Eminence will be satisfied that I am supporting your ideas. I send
once more Captains Troubridge and Ball." *
Again, on the 27th, replying to a letter of thanks from Buffo,
Hamilton wrote :—
" I can assure your Eminence that Lord Nelson congratulates himself on the
decision which he has taken, not to interrupt your Eminence's operations, but to assist
you with all his power to terminate the affair which your Eminence has so well
conducted up to the present." 5
1 ' Nel. Disps.,' iv. 232.
2 Espec. by Albanese's letter of June 29th in ' Mem. del Card. Ruffo,' 262.
3 ' Mem. del Card. Euffo,' 255.
4 Printed in 'Nel. Disps.,' iii. 184; but there misdated. Ruffo's letter is not
to be found.
6 ' Mem. del Card. Ruffo,' 259.
39(5 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
It is noteworthy and significant that when Troubridge and Ball
saw Ruffo on the 26th, they verbally confirmed the assurance
conveyed in Nelson's letter of that date above quoted, but they
declined to sign a formal document to the same effect.1 Yet Buffo
was satisfied,2 and he at once directed Michero'ux to desire the
garrisons to embark immediately. Micheroux went with Ball
and Troubridge to deliver this intimation ; and at about 5 P.M. the
emigrating part of the garrisons embarked. At Castel dell' Uovo,
a specific pledge was given, when the place was handed over, that
thirty-four non-emigrants, who were there, should be sent home at
11 o'clock.3 There can be no doubt at all that the embarking
garrisons fully believed, and were entitled to fully believe, that
the stipulations of the treaty would be religiously observed. Even
after the fourteen transports (polaccas) had been detained for three
days, the emigrants did not altogether realise that they were
prisoners, for, on the 29th, they complained that there had been
delay although the wind was fair.4 Yet ere that, although the
garrisons did not know it, Hamilton had practically admitted that,
as Foote words it, they had been enticed from the castles " under
pretence of putting the capitulation I had signed into execution."5
Hamilton cynically wrote to Acton on June 28th : —
" Lord Nelson kept the promise which he had given to the Cardinal. He did not
oppose the embarkation of the garrisons ; but, when the garrisons were once embarked,
it became clear what the situation was." 6
Prince Francesco Caracciolo,7 a Neapolitan naval officer of some
distinction, who had served side by side with the British, and,
indeed, with Nelson, in the action off Genoa on March 14th, 1795,
had been faithful to his sovereign during the earlier part of the
revolutionary disturbances in Italy ; but, influenced to some extent
by Ferdinand's abandonment of Naples, and to a greater degree by
a decree of the Parthenopsean Kepublic ordering the confiscation
of the property of absent Neapolitans, he at length joined the
Republican navy. He was in Castel Nuovo when it was about to
1 ' Mem. del Card. Ruft'o,' 256, and app.
2 Up to the evening of the 25th he had suspected Nelson. Kuffo to Massa : ' Hem.
del Card. Ruffo,' 252.
3 ' Mem. del Card. Ruffo,' 257.
4 Ibid., 262-64.
5 ' Viml.,' 39.
6 ' Borboni di Nap.,' iv. 94. The letter is in Italian.
7 ife was in 1799 about 47 years of age ; yet English writers have usually referred
to him as an old man.
1799.] EXECUTION OF CAIiACGIOLO. 397
capitulate ; and, doubtful of what fate was in store for him, he fled,
probably on June 17th, and secreted himself. His whereabouts
became known to Ruffo ; and Nelson requested the Cardinal to
hand over the Prince ; l but the Cardinal turned a deaf ear to the
Rear-Admiral, and expressly forbade the making of any arrests
without his personal authority." It has been seen that, until
June 30th, Nelson had no legal authority to supersede or override
Ruffo, the king's vicar-general ; yet Nelson caused Caracciolo to
be privily arrested on shore during the night of the 28th, to be
abducted in such a manner as to evade the notice of Ruffo's officers,
to be embarked at Granatello, and to be brought3 on board the
Foudroyant.* Within an hour of his delivery on board, he was, by
Nelson's directions, put on trial before a court-martial which met
in the Foudroyant, but which was composed of Neapolitan officers,
whose president was Count Thurn, an old enemy of the prince.5
Caracciolo pleaded, — and it can be proved, — that he had served the
Republicans unwillingly and under a threat of death ; 6 but he was
not allowed any opportunity of producing evidence. He had asked
to be tried by British officers.7 After his condemnation by a
majority, — not all, — of his judges, he demanded a second trial.8 But
all in vain. His death had been predetermined ; 9 and at 5 P.M.,
on June 29th, five hours after his sentence had been pronounced,
he was removed from the Foudroyant, and hanged at the fore-
yard arm of Count Thurn's ship, the Minerva. The arrest had
been ordered by Nelson ; the trial had been ordered by Nelson ;
the request for a second trial had been refused by Nelson ; a plea
for shooting instead of hanging, as the punishment, had been
rejected by Nelson ; even Thurn's and Hamilton's desires that
twenty-four hours should be allowed to intervene between the
sentence and its execution had been denied by Nelson.10 The
1 Hose, ' Diaries,' i. 238.
2 'Borbonidi Nap.,' iv. 92.
3 Caracciolo was bound, until Hardy ordered him to be released.
4 ' Mem. del Card. Ruffo,' 267.
6 One of the charges was that Caracciolo had fired on these officers. They were
therefore prejudiced. ' Vind.,' 101 ; ' Saggio Storico ' (1865), 427.
6 ' Nel. Disps.,' iii. 341 ; ' Pettigrew,' i. 251 ; Thurn's report in ' Mem. del Card.
Huffo,' 265.
7 ' Borb. di Nap.,' iv. 101.
8 Clarke and M'Arthur, quoting Lieut. William Standway Parkinson, who had
charge of the prisoner.
9 ' Borb. di Nap.,' iv. 75, 76, 87-89.
10 Hamilton to Acton, in 'Borb. di Nap.,' iv. 111.
398 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
responsibility for all, therefore, is Nelson's ; and one cannot escape
the disagreeable conclusion that Nelson was, in effect, guilty of
hanging a foreign officer because he had fought against the British.
For Nelson had no Sicilian authority or mandate ; it was not for
him to look upon Caracciolo as a rebel ; and, in fact, the main
point upon which the Prince was condemned was that he had
fired upon a vessel which, though Sicilian, was at the time under
the orders of the British Captain Foote. Whether, and if so to
what extent, Nelson's conduct in these proceedings was influenced
by Lady Hamilton, are questions which need not be touched upon
here. Lady Hamilton was not a responsible person : Nelson was :
and Nelson must bear the blame, if any blame be deserved.
Caracciolo's guilt towards his sovereign is not in dispute, although,
be it remembered, there were mitigating circumstances connected
with it. The points for consideration are : what right had the
Kear- Admiral, on June '28th and 29th, to override Euffo's order
and to effect any arrest whatsoever on shore ? what right had
he to deal with Caracciolo as a rebel ? what right had he to
order a man to be tried by his personal enemies ? what right had
he to hang a foreign officer for firing, in the course of war,1 upon
a vessel under the orders of a British captain ? what right had
he, while insisting that the fate of the would-be emigrants should
be decided only after reference to King Ferdinand, to reject
Caracciolo's appeal for a reconsideration of his case ? what
right had he to insist, in defiance of custom, upon an almost
instant execution of the sentence ?
It is an unpleasant business ; and further discussion of it is
unnecessary. But it must be added that, in consequence of
Nelson's attitude towards the would-be emigrants, those poor
wretches were kept, half starving and ravaged by disease, on board
the polaccas, until after the arrival of King Ferdinand off Naples
on July 8th ; and that there then began a series of most vindictive
and barbarous executions, not even women, — for there were women
among those who had capitulated,- — being spared.2
The surrender of Castel Nuovo and Castel dell' Uovo had
deprived the French party of all their positions at Naples except
1 It is true that the Kepublicaus were not recognised by Great Britain as
belligerents ; but, by implication, at least, Ruffo had so recognised them when he
granted what Nelson called " the armistice " ; and Nelson, on the 26th, had committed
himself by promising, in writing, to support Ruffo.
2 Williams : ' Sketches,' 399 ; ' Borb. di Nap.,' iv. etc., etc.
1799.] THE BRITISH FLAG HOISTED OVER ROME. 399
Castel St. Elmo, which was held by Major-General Mejan and
about eight hundred men. Troubridge,1 having landed a body of
British and Portuguese Marines, began a formal siege of this
work on June 29th. Batteries were opened against it on July 3rd ;
and on the llth the place capitulated, it being arranged that the
garrison should be conveyed to Toulon, and the arrangement being,
in this case, carried out. The reduction of St. Elmo cost the'
allies thirty-seven killed and eighty-four wounded. On July 22nd,
Troubridge, with one thousand British seamen and Marines and
some Portuguese troops, appeared before Capua, about fifteen miles
northward and inland from Naples ; and on the 29th the French
garrison capitulated and marched out, and was subsequently sent
to Toulon. Gaeta, which had been blockaded by the fleet, but
not besieged, surrendered on the 31st ; 2 and on September 29th
and 30th, after negotiations, Civita Vecchia, Corneto, Tolfa, and
Eome were handed over. Captain Louis, of the Minotaur, was
rowed up the Tiber in his barge, and hoisted British colours over
the Capitol. Thus, thanks largely to the Navy, was a large part
of Italy freed from French dominion.
But although the Navy thus brilliantly distinguished itself in
the Mediterranean, Nelson, who, during great part of 1799, was
the senior officer there, not only suffered himself, in those regret-
table months spent in Sicily and off Naples, to be led from the
path of private honour, but also allowed himself to be induced to
pay, — as he himself afterwards expressed it, — " more attention to
another sovereign than my own." His conscience, — to again use
his own word, — was " Sicilified." While his followers were winning
glory, he, enslaved by a beautiful woman, and giving way to the
enervating influences of a court which, in saner moments, he
recognised as a centre of vice, folly, and corruption, injured his
health, grieved his truest friends, and narrowly escaped sacrificing
for ever his professional prospects. So obvious was his infatuation,
and so serious were likely to be its results, that even his Captains
dared to remonstrate pointedly yet guardedly with the Bear-
Admiral on his conduct.3 His thrice-repeated disobedience to
1 For these services Troubridge was created a Baronet on Nov. 30th, 1799.
2 Both at Capua and at Gaeta, Sicilian subjects were delivered up to the allies ;
and many of them were afterwards executed after trial by their compatriots.
3 These conclusions are denied by the commentator of the ' New Nelson Manu-
scripts,' published in Literature., Feb.-May, 1898; but the denial appears quite in-
conclusive to one who has carefully gone through all the published evidence, though
400 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1790.
Keith's reiterated orders to despatch ships to Minorca would have
ruined him infallibly, if either Minorca had been attacked by the
enemy, or Keith had chosen to deal sternly with his insubordinate
lieutenant. Happily for Great Britain, Nelson, when at length
he turned his back upon Sicily, soon re-acquired all his old strength,
energy, and single-minded devotion to duty : happily the enemy
did not attack Malta : and happily Keith, with a tenderness which
does him the more honour, seeing that Nelson had no love for
him, did not press matters against a man to whose greatest and
noblest qualities he gave the most generous recognition. Nelson
escaped with only a mild rebuke from the Admiralty.1 It was
during this period that King Ferdinand conferred upon him the
Duchy of Bronte, in Sicily, with estates estimated to be worth
about £3000 a year.
Bonaparte, at the beginning of 1799, was still in Egypt, watched
only by a small squadron of British, Eussian and Turkish ships.
To improve his position there, he had added to the fortifications of
Alexandria, Eosetta, and Damietta, attempted to come to a friendly
arrangement with the Porte, and endeavoured to induce the Pasha
of Acre, on the coast of Syria, to assist his projects. The Pasha,
although on bad terms with his master, the Sultan, had declined to
aid the French, and had at once replied to the French overtures by
seizing the frontier fortress of El Arich. This led Bonaparte to set
out from Cairo early in January, 1799, to invade Syria, with an
army of about thirteen thousand men. At the same time he sent
orders to Eear-Admiral Perree, who was at Alexandria, to put to sea
with the frigates Jmion, Alceste, and Courageuse, and the corvettes
Alerte and Salamine, and to convey heavy guns and stores along the
coast for the use of the expedition ; but, as the port was then closely
blockaded, Perree did not sail until some weeks later ; and the only
vessels which, early in the advance, co-operated with the French
were some small craft from Damietta. The whole invading force
was assembled before El Arich by February 18th.
In the meantime, on February 2nd, Captain Thomas Troubridge,
in the Culloden, 74, with the Theseus, 74, Captain Ealph Willett
Miller, Bulldog, bomb, Commander Adam Drummond, Perseus,
it is true that certain expressions of Troubridge have been misread owing to the
carelessness of Clarke and M' Arthur.
1 For a discussion of Nelson's conduct on these and similar occasions, see a very
plain-spoken article in Edinburgh Reoiew, 1814, p. 405.
1799.]
BOMBARDMENT OF ALEXANDRIA.
401
bomb, Commander James Oswald, and Alliance, storeship, 22^
Captain David Wilmot, arrived off Alexandria to relieve the
Zealous, 74, Captain Samuel Hood (2), and the Swiftsure, 74,
Captain Benjamin Hallowell, on the station. On the 3rd, and again
on the 4th, 5th, 7th, 8th, 13th, and 22nd of February, the Bulldog
and Perseus stood in and shelled the town, but did little damage,
MAP OF THE: CAMPAIGN IN
EGYPT AND SYRIA
though the bursting of the Perseus' s 13-in. mortar killed and
wounded four men. On March 3rd, Troubridge was superseded in
command of the blockading squadron by Commodore Sir William
Sidney Smith,1 who arrived in the Tigre, 80, with the Marianne, 4,
a French gun-vessel captured on March 1st, and who, with Trou-
bridge's concurrence, at once despatched Lieut. John Westley
Wright and an interpreter to settle a scheme of co-operation with
1 Who had also the rank of Joint Minister Plenipotentiary to the Porte, and who
had been at Constantinople and Rhodes to arrange a plan of campaign.
VOL. IV. 2 D
402 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
the Pasha of Acre. On the 7th, the Culloden, Perseus, and Bulldog 1
sailed to join Lord Nelson ; and Smith was left with the Tigre, 80,
Theseus, 74, Alliance, 22, Torride, 2, and Marianne, 4, Midshipman
James Boxer, to conduct the further operations. On the same day
the Commodore learnt that Bonaparte had advanced and had carried
Jaffa by storm. On the 8th, the Theseus was despatched to Acre,
the Tigre remaining for a time to watch Alexandria, but presently
following, and anchoring in the bay on March 15th. Measures
were at once taken, in conjunction with Achmet Djezzar, the Pasha,
to strengthen the very inadequate defences of the town. On the
17th the Theseus was sent to reconnoitre to the southward. That
morning the French advanced guard was seen marching along the
sea-side ; and its passage over the little river Kerdanneh was effectively
checked by the Tigre 's launch under the orders of Lieut. John
Bushby, the result being that the French had to make a detour.
Owing to the fire from the ships, they were also prevented from
investing those defences of the town which lay nearest to the coast,
and which happened to be the weakest, and were obliged to con-
centrate their forces to the north-east. On the 18th Sir Sidney had
the good fortune, after a three hours' chase, to capture the little
flotilla 2 which had left Damietta with the guns, ammunition and
siege equipage of the French army, and to recapture the Torride,
which, on her passage from Alexandria, had been taken that
morning by the enemy. Both the prizes and the guns proved most
useful for the defence of Acre.
The siege lasted until May 20th. In the course of it, a British
attempt upon some French lighters in the port of Haifa was repulsed
on March 21st ; a French mine was most gallantly seized and
destroyed on April 7th by Lieut. John Westley Wright, E.N., and
Major John Douglas, of the Marines ; Perree's squadron, leaving
Alexandria, landed guns at Jaffa, and these, forwarded by land,
reached the besiegers on April 27th ; many attempts to storm the
town were repulsed ; the defenders, on May 7th, received rein-
forcements of troops from Khodes ; in a new assault many of the
enemy were deliberately allowed to enter the place in order that they
might more surely be destroyed ; the Syrian chiefs were persuaded
to harass Bonaparte's communications ; a successful sortie was
1 The Swiftsure had already departed.
2 Foudre, 8, Dangereuse, 6, Negresse, 6, Marie Rose, 4, Deux Freres, 4, and Dame
de Grace, 4.
1799.] SMITH'S DEFENCE OF ACHE. 403
made on May 19th; twice assassins attempted Sir Sidney's life;
and at last a treacherous assault, delivered while a flag of truce
was flying, was victoriously repulsed. In consequence, the siege
was raised on the night of May 20th, the enemy leaving behind him
23 siege guns, minus their carriages, and regaining El Arich on
June 2nd, having suffered enormous loss. The British, apart from
the Turkish, loss in the fighting was not very serious, as it amounted
ADMIRAL SIR WILLIAM KIDNEY SMITH, G.C.B.
(From Ridley's engraving, executed in 1800, when Sir William was a Captain.)
to but 22 killed, 66 wounded, 4 drowned, and 82 taken prisoners ;
but a lamentable catastrophe, caused on May 14th by a mishap to
some shells in the Theseus, added 40 killed and drowned and 47
wounded to the total. By this accident the gallant Captain Ealph
Willett Miller,1 and Midshipmen Charles James Webb and James
Morrison Bigges Forbes, perished. The ship herself narrowly
escaped destruction. Among the officers killed by the enemy were
1 Born Jan. 24th, 1762 : Commander, 1794 ; Captain, 1796. He commanded a ship
S>oth at St. Vincent, where he was Nelson's Captain, aud at the Nile.
2 D 2
404 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
Captain David Wilmot,1 of the Alliance, and Major of Marines
Thomas Oldfield. At the time of the accident to the Theseus, she
bad just begun to chase Bear-Admiral Perree's squadron off Csesarea.
In consequence of it, the enemy escaped.2
The Commodore left Acre on June 12th, and, calling at Beirut
and Larnaca, proceeded to Constantinople to concert further
measures with the Porte. As for Bonaparte, injured in reputation
by the course of events at Acre, and advised by the Directory 3 that
his presence was needed at home, he was most anxious to return to
France. He therefore ordered Rear-Admiral Ganteaume, who had
quitted the headquarters for Alexandria, to prepare for sea the
Carrere and Muiron, the fastest of the ex -Venetian frigates in that
port. But ere Bonaparte could sail, a very large fleet of Turkish
men-of-war and transports under Hassan Bey, conveying about
eighteen thousand troops under Seyd Mustapha Pasha, entered
Aboukir Bay on July llth. General Marmont hurried from Alex-
andria to oppose a landing ; but, upon hearing that some of the.
Turks had already disembarked, he re-entered the town to await
reinforcements. By the 17th, Aboukir and its defences had fallen,
and the whole expeditionary force was on shore. Moreover, Sir
W. S. Smith, with the Tigre and Theseus* was once more off the
coast. On July 23rd, Bonaparte in person took C3mmand at
Alexandria ; on the 25th he won a most sanguinary battle close to
Aboukir; and on August 2nd Aboukir Castle surrendered to him.
He then went for a few days to Cairo, returned to Alexandria on
August 21st, committed the command in Egypt to General Kleber,
and, learning that the British and Turkish men-of-war had tem-
porarily withdrawn from off the port,5 embarked on the 22nd, in
the Muiron, bearing the flag of Eear-Admiral Ganteaume, and, with
the Carrere, Revanche, Independent, and Foudre? sailed on the 23rd.
1 A Captain of 1798. He was killed by a rifle-shot, on May 1st, while defending
the breach.
2 Sir William Sidney Smith was voted a pension of £1000 a year for his conduct
at Acre, and thanked by both Houses. By the Sultan he was given a diamond aigrette,
a sable coat, and the order of the Crescent. — Life by Barrow.
3 Disp. of May 26th.
4 Commander Edward Jekyll Canes had acted as her Captain after the death of
Captain Miller, until the appointment of Captain John Stiles.
5 They had sailed on the 9th, and had anchored on the 16th off Cyprus.
6 The Foudre, not sailing as well as the other vessels, was presently ordered back-
to Alexandria. She seems to have been the same vessel which, on March 18th, had
been taken by Sir W. S. Smith, and to have been retaken, together with the Marianne,
by the French. But no record of the recapture can be found.
1799.]
RETURN OF BONAPARTE FROM EGYPT.
405
By keeping close in with the African coast until it had passed Cape
Bon, the little squadron evaded the British cruisers and reached
Ajaccio on October 1st. On the 9th Bonaparte, whose fortunes
seemed, for the moment, to be almost hopeless, — for Mantua had
been lost, Italy had been reconquered, and Holland had been in-
vaded,— disembarked at Frejus.
The Mediterranean fleet was not the only one which had a part
in harassing the operations of the French in Egypt ; and, before
going on to review what happened at the mouth of the Nile after
Bonaparte's flight, it is right to say a word concerning the move-
ments, though they were of little importance, of certain British
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF CAPT. RIB W. S. SMITH'S DEFENCE OF ACRE, 1799.
(Front an original lent b]i H.S.H. Capt. Prince Louis of Battcnberg, li.y.)
vessels in the Bed Sea, on the coasts of which, and especially at
Suez and Kosseir, the French had established small garrisons.
The invasion of Egypt by the French had caused Vice-Admiral
Peter Eainier (1), Cornmander-in-Chief in the East Indies, to detach
to the western limits of his station a number of vessels, which were
reinforced from the squadron at the Cape. Two of these, the
Centurion, 50, Captain John Sprat Eainier, and the Albatross, 18,
Commander Charles Adam, appeared before Suez on April 27th,
chased two French gunboats into the harbour, and created great
alarm during the two months for which they remained in the neigh-
bourhood. But, having no trcops on board, they did not endeavour
to take the town. In the meantime, Bear-Admiral John Blankett,
in the Leopard, 50, Captain Thomas Surridge, with the Dcedalus,
32, Captain Henry Lidgbird Ball, Fox, 32, Commander Henry
406 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
Stuart (acting Captain), and some smaller vessels, with troops under
Major-General Craig, had arrived from Bombay at Mocha. There
Captain Rainier joined him, reporting what he had been able to
learn or to observe on his passage. On August 14th, the Dadalus
and Fox, detached by Blankett, stood into Kosseir Bay, and, finding
the Eepublicans in possession of the town, opened a cannonade,
which was continued at intervals, and resumed very hotly on the
early morning of the 15th. During the firing, several dhows were
cut out from under the walls of the place, and an attempt, which
had to be abandoned, was made to land and destroy the wells. On
the 16th, a landing, under Commander Stuart, was again essayed,
but was repulsed, the British losing one man killed, and having to
leave a 6-pdr. on the beach. Apart, therefore, from the capture of
the dhows, the only services effected were the partial disablement of
the fort, and the ruining of the town. Troops were subsequently
landed on the shores of Upper Egypt ; but, with the withdrawal on
August 16th of the Dcedalus and Fox from before Kosseir, the
participation of the Navy in the operations on the Eed Sea littoral
ended for the year.
Commodore Sir William Sidney Smith returned to the mouth of
the Nile towards the end of October with a fleet of Turkish men-of-
war and a large body of troops from Constantinople, and, on the
•29th, 30th, and 31st, and November 1st, with his boats, assisted in
preparing "the way for, and in covering a landing near Damietta.
The French were at first driven back, but the Turks, getting out
of hand, were finally compelled to retreat to their boats in great
confusion and with terrible slaughter. In spite, however, of their
successes at Aboukir and Damietta, the situation of the French in
Egypt, where guns, money, and medical comforts were lacking and
where the invaders were threatened from all directions, became
towards the end of the year so desperate that Kleber opened
negotiations with the British Commodore, and sent General Desaix
and M. Poussielgue on board the Tigre to treat. That some such
step was advisable is indicated by the fact that on December 29th
the French garrison of El Arich revolted, and delivered up the place
to the British and Turks, the latter of whom, it is to be regretted,
could not be prevented from massacring about three hundred of the
traitors. But, no sooner were the commissioners on board the
Tigre than a heavy gale of wind drove the ship out to sea ; so that
at the close of the year no settlement had been arrived at. As will
1799.]
OPERATIONS IN THE NORTH SEA.
407
be seen later, the French were not destined to quit Egypt so quickly
or so easily as Kleber no doubt expected.
The operations in the North Sea during 1799 were of great
importance. Believing that public opinion in the Netherlands had
become somewhat less republican, and more favourable to the cause
ADMIRAL SIR ANDREW MITCHELL (1), K.B.
(From an engraving bij B. P. Ccok, after the painting by Boicyer.)
of the dispossessed Stadtholder, the British Government, early in
the summer, quietly and secretly prepared an expedition on a
very large scale with the object of contributing towards the
restoration of the Prince of Orange. In the meantime, Admiral
Lord Duncan's fleet, and a Russian division, continued to blockade
the Dutch squadron, which, under Vice-Admiral Samuel Storij,1
still lay within the Texel. Other Dutch ships lay in Nieuwe Diep,
1 He was a Schout-bij-Nacht, with temporary rank as vice-admiral.
408
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1799.
at Amsterdam, and in the Maas, but made no attempt to put
to sea.
Troops for the expedition were assembled at Southampton,
Barham Downs, Eamsgate, Margate, and Yarmouth, to the
number of about 27,000 men.1 Russia engaged, in return for pay
and subsidy, to provide 17,593 more, together with transports and
convoy for them ; and the military command was entrusted to
H.E.H. Frederick Augustus, Duke of York, under whom, with
other officers of distinction, went Lieut.-General Sir Ealph
Abercromby, commanding the first division. This division, con-
sisting of about 17,000 men, sailed from Margate Eoad and the
Downs on August 13th, 1799. The entire fleet transporting it was
made up of upwards of 250 craft of all sizes, under the orders of
Vice-Admiral Andrew Mitchell (1) (B.) ; but the effective fighting
portion of it was confined to the vessels named in the note.2
On the 15th, Lord Duncan, in the Kent, 74, Captain William
Johnstone Hope, met the fleet and assumed command ; but, bad
weather coming on, the expedition did not get near the Texel until
the evening of the 21st, when it anchored off Kuikduin. On the
following morning the transports weighed and re-anchored within
half a mile of the shore ; and the Coburg, cutter, conveying Captain
1 Less than 20,000 British, and about 17,000 Russians seem to have actually
landed in Holland.
2 Ships.
GUDB.
Commanders.
Ratzivan.
74
Capt. Greig \
Mistisloff.
00
A. Mollerj ^US8*an'
Monmouth
04
„ George Hart.
Ardent .
04
„ Thomas Bertie (2).
Belliqueux
04
„ Rowley Bulteel.
America .
04
„ John Smith (3).
Overyssel
04
„ John Bazely (2).
Veteran .
04
„ Archibald Collingwood Dickson.
Glutton . .
54
„ Charles Cobb.
/sis
50
jVice-Adm. Andrew Mitchell (1).
(.Capt. James Oughton.
Romney ....
50
„ John Lawford.
Melpomene .
44
„ Sir Cliarles Hamilton, Bart.
Latona ....
38
„ Frank Sotheron.
Shannon ....
32
„ Charles Dudley Pater.
Juno .
32
GpOl't^P l^imi^a*;
Lutine
32
Lancelot Skvnner
1 Cine
28
Robert ^^inthrop
1 Victor ....
18
Com. John Hennie.
' Coburg, cutter, hired
16
Lieut. Terence O'Neill.
1 Did not sail with Vice-Adm. Mitchell, but joined, and were present on August 28th and 30th.
1799.]
SURRENDER OF SHIPS IN N1EUWE DIE P.
409
Eobert Winthrop, of the Circe, 28, and Colonel Frederick Maitland,
went in under a flag of truce with a message to Vice- Admiral Storij.
Almost immediately afterwards the wind shifted from east to south-
west, and the weather began to look so threatening that all the
ships had to stand off from the land ; nor did they again anchor in
their assigned stations until the 26th.
Storij, in reply to Admiral Lord Duncan's summons, declined to
deliver up his ships for the use of the Prince of Orange, and declared
that he would defend them if attacked, but promised to forward the
summons to his government, which, on receiving it, answered on the
23rd, approving of Storij 's attitude. Covered by a hot fire from
the squadron, a landing was therefore effected on the mainland, near
the Helder, in the early morning of the 27th. * As soon as the troops
began to move from the beach they were attacked by a Franco-Dutch
force under Lieut. -General Daendels ; but after a long action the
latter retired, and the British, who had suffered much less seriously
than the enemy, prepared to attack the Helder, which contained a
garrison of two thousand men. These, however, evacuated the town
in the night, and retreated towards Medemblik. The Helder, in
consequence, was occupied at dawn on the 28th by a detachment
under Major-General Moore ; and the following Dutch vessels,
chiefly old, which were anchored in ordinary in Nieuwe Diep, were
simultaneously taken possession of, without resistance, by Captain
Robert Winthrop, of the Circe :—
Ships.
Guns.
Ships.
Guns.
Verwachtiny ....
Broederscliap ....
64
54
44
; Heldin*
Minerva*
Alarm,
32
24
24
44
Valk*
24
Duif
Expeditie
Hector *
Unie
44
44
44
44
Venus4
3 Indiamen
1 sheerhulk
1
24
1 Added to the Navy as randour.
2 Added to the Navy.
3 Added to the Navy as BraaJc.
* Added to the Navy as Amaranthe.
Captain Winthrop also seized the naval depot at Nieuwe Werk,
with ninety-seven guns and a quantity of ordnance stores.
Early on August 30th, Vice-Admiral Mitchell's squadron weighed,
and stood in towards the entrance to the Vlieter, where lay the ships
of Storij's command. In going in, the Batzivan, America, and
Latona grounded, the channel being narrow, and the buoys having
410
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1799.
been removed by the Dutch, and replaced, possibly with no great
accuracy, by the British. The other vessels, joined by the Latona
as soon as she got off, stood on, and at length anchored in line
ahead, a little outside the Dutch, in the following order : Glatton,
Bomney, Isis, Veteran, Ardent, Belliqueux, Monmoutk, Overyssel,
Mistisloff, and frigates. While still on his way in, Mitchell sent
the Victor, 18, Commander John Eennie, to summon Storij. She
met two Dutch captains, under a flag of truce, coming from that
officer, and at once took them, ere the allies had anchored, on board
the Isis, where it was arranged that Storij should be allowed one
hour wherein to make up his mind as to surrendering. In less than
an hour the captains returned to say that it was decided to give up
the ships of his squadron. These, particulars of which are given
below, were, accordingly, taken possession of forthwith, a British
officer being appointed to take charge of each : —
Ships.
Guns.
Men.
Commanders.
Washington '
70
550
(Vice-Adm. Samuel Storij.
\Capt. T. F. van Capellen.
Cerberus 2
68
450
„ C. De Jong.
De Buijter .
64
450
„ J. Huis.
Gelderland .
04
450
Com. J. H. Waldeck.
Leijden .
08
450
C'apt. M. van Braam.
Utrecht .
68
450
„ D. H. Kolff.
Batauier .
56
350
„ W. H. van Senden.
Beschermer .
56
350
„ H. J. F. Eilbracht.
Amphitrite .
44
280
Com. J. D. Sohutter.
Mars, rase3 .
44
280
„ D. Bock.
Embuscade .
34
230
„ J. Riverij.
Galathee .
16
90
Lieut. J. J. Droop.
1 Renamed Princess of Orange. 2 Renamed TexeJ.
> Renamed Vlieter. All the twelve prizes except the UtraM were added to the Royal Navy, by purchase.
For this capitulation Storij was afterwards declared infamous,
banished, and forbidden, on pain of death, to re-enter the territories
of the Batavian Eepublic. Captains van Capellen, van Braam, Kolff,
De Jong, and Bock were also punished.1 James, endeavouring to
explain why those who had fought so valiantly at Camperdown
surrendered without a blow in the Texel, says : —
" The fact is, the sailors had become politicians ; and, differing in opinion from their
officers, had adopted a course which, if not the most honourable, was, under present
1 Several of these were ultimately restored to their rank ; and van Capellen lived to
command the Dutch contingent at the bombardment of Algier in 1810.
1799.] SURRENDER OF SHIPS IN THE VLIETER. 411
circumstances, undoubtedly the most safe. They mutinied, and refused to fight; and,
as if fearful that the guns would go off by themselves, they in many instances drew
the charges, and threw the shot overboard. Under such, we must add, discreditable
circumstances, Admiral Storij and his officers had no alternative but to surrender ; and
surely no one will think that in so doing they compromised in the slightest degree
their professional character." '
There is some truth in all this; but, on the other hand, Storij,
previous to the surrender, was guilty of so much carelessness and
indecision that he cannot escape from hlame. Upon the first appear-
ance of the British, he quitted a fairly defensible anchorage in the
Texel, and carried his squadron into the Vlieter and the fairway
leading to it. There he stationed his ships in such a confused and
straggling manner that they could not support one another ; and,
when at length he realised the danger of the position, and attempted
to return to the Texel, first accidental circumstances and finally the
direction of the wind, prevented him from doing so, the consequence
being that Mitchell caught him in a narrow cul de sac, where he
could neither defend himself nor manoeuvre. It is not surprising
therefore that, leaving their Orange tendencies out of the question,
the seamen declined to fight at such a disadvantage. But Storij,
though blameworthy, was not more so than the Dutch admiralty,
which sent him contradictory orders, and which must be held respon-
sible for his having ever withdrawn from the Texel.2
The army under Abercromby, having entrenched itself, repulsed
with heavy loss an attack which was made upon it on Sep-
tember 10th by the Franco-Dutch under General Brune ; and three
days later H.E.H. the Duke of York disembarked at the Helder
from the Amethyst, 38, Captain John Cooke (1), and the stipulated
Eussian contingent arrived. The next action was disastrous, the
Anglo-Eussians, who attacked, being compelled to fall back upon
their entrenchments, with a loss, in killed, wounded, and prisoners,
of about two thousand five hundred and fifty officers and men.3
During the day, three little gunboats, on the Alkmaar canal, under
Captain Sir Home Eiggs Popham and Lieutenant William
Godfrey, E.N., rendered good service, but lost four killed and
1 James, ii. 309.
2 Van der Aa, ' Geschied. v.d. Oorlog ' ; Vonk, ' Geschied. der Landing ' ; Storij's
' Verantwoording,' and ' Sententie ' ; Jong's ' Verantwoording ' ; Walsh, ' Narr. of the
Exped. to Holland ' ; Maccarthy, ' Hist, de la Campagne en 1799 ' ; papers in Archief
v. het Hoog. Mil. Geregtshof, and Rijks Archief, etc.
3 This loss, according to the British dispatches, was, nevertheless, not so great as
that suffered by the enemy.
412 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
eight wounded. On October 6th, the Duke of York drove back
the enemy ; but, on the day following, he was himself crushingly
defeated and induced to negotiate with General Brune, the result
being the evacuation of Holland by the British and Russian military
forces.1 The retirement of the army obliged Vice-Admiral Mitchell
to withdraw from the Zuider Zee, which, after having shifted his
flag to the Babet, 20, he had entered with a small flotilla. Before
he withdrew, a detachment of seamen and Marines which, under
Commander James Boorder, of the Espiegle, 16, held the town of
Lemmer, signalised itself on October llth by repelling without
loss a prolonged attack by a vastly superior force of the enemy.
The expedition was, upon the whole, a most unfortunate and
costly one. None of the Dutch vessels captured were of great
value. On the other hand, four British ships of war, the Nassau, 64
(en flute), Blanche, 32, Lutine, 32, and Contest, 12, were wrecked on
the difficult and dangerous coast during the operations, forty-two
men perishing in the Nassau, and the entire crew, except two, in
the Lutine, which also carried down with her a sum of £140,000
intended for the payment of the troops.2 In addition, about four
thousand eight hundred British soldiers, besides Russians, were
killed, wounded, or taken prisoners. But the failure was in nowise
due to the Navy, which deservedly received the thanks of Parlia-
ment.3 Vice-Admiral Mitchell was afterwards rewarded with
a KB.4
The only other event of the year to be noticed here is the
surrender of the Dutch colony of Surinam to a naval force under
Vice-Admiral Lord Hugh Seymour, consisting of the Prince of
Wales, 98 (flag), Captain Adrian Renou; Invincible, 74, Captain
George William Cayley; Tamer, 38, Captain Thomas Western;
Unite, 38, Captain John Poo Beresford ; Syren, 32, Captain Thomas
Le Marchant Gosselin ; Lapwing, 28, Captain Thomas Harvey ;
Amphitrite, 28, Captain Charles Ekins ; Daphne, 20, Captain
Richard Matson ; and Requin, 12, Lieutenant William Wood
1 The convention to this effect was signed on Oct. 20th, and the whole army was
embarked by Nov. 19th.
2 Many years later many of the ship's guns and much of the treasure were
recovered. One of the guns, little the worse for its long immersion, was shown at the
Hoy. Nav. Exhib., 1891.
3 The services of Sir Ralph Abercromby and of the army were similarly recognised.
The prime cause of insuccess seems to have been the military incapacity of the Duke
of York.
4 Jan. Oth, 1800.
1799-1800.] THE NAVAL COMMANDS. 413
Senhouse, conveying troops under Lieut. -General T. Trigge. The
expedition sailed from Port Eoyal, Martinique, on July 31st, and
made the coast of Surinam on August llth. After negotiations
extending over several days, a capitulation was ratified by the Dutch
governor on August 20th, and on the following day the garrison of
Fort Amsterdam marched out with the honours of war, and the
place was taken possession of. On the 22nd other important ports,
including Paramaribo, were occupied, and the whole colony, now
known as Dutch Guiana, became, for the time, British. In the river
Surinam were found the Dutch brig-sloop Camphaan, 16, and the
French Hussard, 20 (later Surinam, 18), both of which were added
to the Eoyal Navy, the former being provisionally commissioned
by Lieutenant Eichard Thwaits, and the latter by Lieutenant
Christopher Cole.
In spite of the checks which had been inflicted on French
ambition, and of the ignominious flight of Bonaparte from Egypt,
the popularity and influence of the great Corsican suffered little in
France ; and on November 10th Napoleon was able to dissolve the
Executive Directory and to substitute for it a Consulate composed of
Eoger Ducos, himself, and Emanuel Joseph Sieyes. In December,
he went further, and, getting rid of his colleagues, secured his own
appointment as First Consul, with Jean Jacques Eegis de Carnba-
ceres and Charles Fra^ois Lebrun as his associates. The re-
organisation of the government was immediately followed by a
reorganisation of the French navy,1 and by the putting forward by
Bonaparte of vague proposals, addressed to King George, for a
general peace.2 France, however, offered no concessions ; and it
was felt in Great Britain that she was at the moment more anxious
for a temporary suspension of hostilities than for a permanent settle-
ment. Nothing, therefore, came of the negotiations.
The chief British naval commands at home and abroad were held
as follows in the year 1800 : —
Portsmouth Admiral Mark Milbanke (W).
Plymouth Vice-Adm. Sir Thomas Pasley, Bt. (R).
The Downs Vice-Adm. Skeffington Lutwidge (R).
The Nore Vice-Adm. Alexander Gra>me (W).
Cork Admiral Robert Kingsmill (B).
„ Aug Admiral Alan, Lord Gardner (B).
1 See especially the report of Com., 6th Frimaire (29th Nov., 1799).
2 Disp. of 5th Nivose (25th Dec., 1799).
414 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1800.
The Channel Admiral Lord Bridport (W).
;, Ap Admiral Earl St. Vincent (W).
The North Sea Admiral Viscount Duncan (W).
Mediterranean Vice-Adm. Lord Keith (R).
North America Admiral George Vandeput (B).
Mar Vice-Adm. Sir William Parker (1), Bt. (W).
Newfoundland Vice-Adm. Hon. William Waldegrave (R).
„ later .... liear-Adm. Charles Morice Pole (R).
Leeward Islands Vice-Adm. Lord Hugh Seymour (B).
„ later .... Rear-Adm. John Thomas Duckworth (W).
Jamaica Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (2), (B).
„ later .... Vice-Adm. Lord Hugh Seymour (B).
Cape of Good Hope .... Vice-Adm. Sir Roger Curtis, Bt. (W).
East Indies Vice-Adm. Peter Rainier (1), (B).
As in the previous year, the French at Brest were watched by a
detachment of the Channel Fleet. Of this detachment, then under
the orders of Vice-Admiral Sir Alan Gardner, Bart., the Repulse, 64,
Captain James Alms (2), formed part, when, on March 10th, she
struck on a rock about seventy-five miles S.W. of Ushant, and was
so damaged that she had to be run ashore near Quimper, where she
ultimately became a total loss. Her people, except twelve who
reached Guernsey in a boat, landed on one of the Glenan Islands
and were made prisoners. When Captain Alms returned home and
was tried,1 he and all his officers and men were honourably acquitted,
save the first Lieutenant, John Carpenter Eothery, and the Master,
George Finn, who had left in the boat, and who, for disobedience to
orders, were dismissed the service. As Captain Alms, previous to
the wreck, had been incapacitated for duty by an accident, the
desertion of the ship by the officer next in command was the more
disgraceful.
Later in the same month, Lord Bridport, in person, assumed the
command off Brest, with his flag in the Royal George, 100, and with
a fleet which numbered thirty-eight sail of the line ; but he presently
returned to England, and on April 24th hauled down his flag. Two
days later Earl St. Vincent succeeded him, hoisting his flag in the
Namur, 100,2 and proceeding off Brest ; and on June 1st he detached
Captain Sir Edward Pellew, in the Impetueux, 78, with the Eamillies,
74, Captain Eichard Grindall ; Ajax, 80, Captain the Hon. Alexander
Inglis Cochrane ; Canada, 74, Captain the Hon. Michael de Courcy (1) ;
Terrible, 74, Captain William Wolseley ; Captain, 74, Captain Sir
Eichard John Strachan ; Fishguard, 74, Captain Thomas Byam
Martin ; Amelia, 44, Captain the Hon. Charles Herbert (1) ; Amethyst,
1 C.M., 26th June, 1800. 2 And later in the Vilk de Paris, 100.
1800.] OPERATIONS NEAR QU1BERON. 415
38, Captain John Cooke (1) ; Diamond, 38, Captain Edward Griffith ;
Doris, 36, Captain Viscount Eanelagh ; Thames, 32, Captain William
Lukin ; and Cynthia, 16, Commander Micajah Malbon ; together
with the Diadem, 64, Captain Sir Thomas Livingstone, Bart. ;
Europa, 50, Captain James Stevenson (1) ; Inconstant, 36, Com-
mander John Ayscough ; Thisbe, 28, Commander John Morrison ;
and Cyclops, 28, Commander John Fyffe, armed en flute, and having
on board the 2nd, 20th, 36th, 82nd, and 92nd regiments, and two
hundred artillerymen under Major-General Maitland. This squadron
was directed to co-operate with the insurgent French Royalists in the
Morbihan ; and with that object it anchored in Quiberon Bay on
June 2nd. On the 4th, the Thames and Cynthia attacked and
silenced some forts, which were afterwards destroyed by a landing
party, the Cynthia losing two killed and one wounded ; and early on
the 6th, a body of troops, acting with a division of boats under
Lieutenant John Pilfold, of the Impetueux, burnt the Insolente, 18,
carried off several small craft and about one hundred prisoners,
destroyed some guns, and blew up a magazine, only one seaman
being killed. It was intended to attack Belle Isle ; but the garrison
of that island was found to be very strong, and the idea was therefore
abandoned. The troops from the squadron were eventually landed
on the island of Houat, whence they were re-embarked later and
conveyed to the Mediterranean. A few months later, while the
Captain, one of the ships of the above expedition, was cruising with
the Marlborough, 74, Captain Thomas Sotheby, to the westward of
the peninsula of Quiberon, the latter struck on a ledge of rocks near
Groix, and although, by great exertion, she was got off, she had
received so much damage that she ultimately sank. All her people
were saved ; and her Captain, officers, and ship's company were
subsequently acquitted of all blame, it being held that the accident
had been due to the " uncertain situation " of the rocks.1
In the Mediterranean, there was no considerable French force
at Toulon, and no considerable Spanish one at Cartagena or Cadiz.
Lord Keith was, therefore, chiefly occupied in the blockade of Malta,
in preventing the passage of supplies along the coast of the Kiviera,
and in assisting the Austrians in their endeavours to drive the French
out of Tuscany and Piedmont. On March 16th the Commander-in-
Chief, who contemplated an attack upon Capraia, landed at Leghorn,
with part of his staff, and ordered Captain Andrew Todd, of the flag-
1 C.M., Jan. 2nd, 1801.
416 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1800.
ship Queen Charlotte, 100, to proceed off that island and reconnoitre
it. On the following morning, at a little before 6 -A.M., while making
for Capraia, the Queen Charlotte was found to be on fire ; and, although
assistance was at once despatched from the shore, and all was done that
could be done,1 the vessel was completely burnt by about 11 o'clock,
the misfortune being, unhappily, accompanied by the most dreadful
loss of life. Eleven persons belonging to the ship were on shore at
the time. Of the 829 on board, only 156 wTere saved ; and among the
673 who perished were Captain Andrew Todd,2 Lieutenants William
Bainbridge and James Erskine, Captain of Marines Joseph Breedon,
the Master, Purser, Surgeon, and Boatswain, four Master's Mates,
and no fewer than eighteen Midshipmen.3 The accident seems to
have been due to the fact that some hay had been left lying under the
half-deck, and that a live match, kept in a tub close by for firing
signal guns, had, by some means, communicated with it. Two or
three American vessels lying near the scene of the catastrophe
rendered valuable aid, and sacrificed several men in their efforts to
save life. Lord Keith subsequently hoisted his flag, first in the
Audacious, 74, Captain Davidge Gould, and later in the Minotaur,
74, Captain Thomas Louis.
Pressed on the land side by the Austrians, and prevented by the
British from obtaining supplies by sea, the main body of French,
towards the end of April, concentrated in Genoa, under General
Massena, and were at once besieged there by General Baron von
Melas, and afterwards by Baron von Ott ; while a smaller detachment,
under General Buget, was shut up in Savona. Savona, actively
blockaded by the Santa Dorothea, 36, Captain Hugh Dowuman,
Chameleon, 18, Lieutenant Samuel Jackson (actg.), and a Neapolitar
brig,4 surrendered on May 15th. Genoa was blockaded by Lord
Keith in person ; and, under his direction, great assistance was
rendered to the Austrians by the Phaeton, 38, Captain James Nicoll
Morris, and by the gun and mortar vessels and armed boats of the
fleet under Captain Philip Beaver, E.X.5 To repel the attacks of
1 Owing to the guns going off as they became heated, many boats were deterred
from approaching the ship to take off the people.
3 A Captain of ITiHi. His first commission dated from 1783.
* Among these Midshipmen, it is curious to note, were a son (Charles Diekson)
of the ship's Gunner, arid a son (Thomas Bridgmau) of the ship's Boatswain. ' Xav.
Ohron.,' iii. 2HO-302, 323.
4 Gazettf, 1800, 020. Keith to Xepean, May 16th.
* Then of the Aurora. Keith to Xepeau, May 21st.
>•>..; CUTTING OUT OF THE "PSIMA." 417
the latter force, the French organised a small flotilla, consisting of a
galley named the Prima, an armed cutter, three settees, and several
gunboats ; and on May 21st at about 1 A.M., when Captain Beaver
was bombarding the town for the fourth time, the French succeeded
in causing him considerable annovance, particularly by means of
two long brass 36-prs., which were mounted in the galley. Beaver
therefore determined to endeavour to cut out the Prima, although
she lay chain-moored under heavy batteries. Ten boats, contain-
ing about one hundred officers and men, were told off for the
purpose, and were led in as silently as possible ; but, a gunboat
opening fire upon them, they had at last to make a quick dash for
their prey. When they got near her they found that her oars, fifty-
two in number, had been lashed to their benches in such a manner
as to form a kind of projecting defence all round her; that her
bulwarks had been built up and mounted with swivel guns, and that
she was full of men,1 who. having been alarmed by the gunboat,
were on the alert. Nevertheless, some people from a boat belonging
to the Haarlem, managed, under the leadership of Midshipman John
Caldwell, to enter her amidships on the starboard side ; and other
parties, under Captain Beaver, and Lieutenant William Gibson, of
the Vestal, almost instantly afterwards boarded her by the stem,
the result being that the galley was soon carried. By dint of
great exertions, her moorings were cleared away, and, in spite
of a tremendous fire, she was safely towed out, the galley-slaves
helping at the sweeps. The capture was effected with a loss of
only five men wounded on the British side. As soon as the craft
was out of danger, the slaves were allowed to free themselves from
their chains ; but, to the disgrace of the British arms, they were not
given their liberty. The garrison of Genoa was known to be in a
state bordering upon famine : and, with a view to increasing the
difficulties of the French, Keith restored not only such of the
fighting crew of the Prima as he had taken, but also all the slaves,
except about fifty, who, having been provisionally berthed in the
Expedition, 44, had been blown to sea in her : and Massena, learn-
ing how the miserable wretches had contributed to the carrying
out of the galley, and not anxious, we may fairly suppose, to feed
mouths upon which he could not depend, ordered the whole of
them to be shot.
Eeduced by starvation, Massena, on June 4th, agreed to evacuate
1 The number of men on board was 257, besides upwards of 300 galley slaves.
VOL. IV. 2 E
418 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1800.
Genoa, and to retire with such troops as were able to follow him,
to Nice. On June 5th, the Minotaur, 74 (flag), Captain Thomas
Louis, Audacious, 74, Captain Davidge Gould, Gtnereux, 74,
Captain Manley Dixon, Charon, storeship, 44, Commander Richard
Bridges, Pigmy, cutter, and several Neapolitan vessels, anchored
within the mole. But the success of the Allies was of little use.
Bonaparte had in the meantime crossed the Alps. On June 4th
he entered Milan, and re-erected the Cisalpine Eepublic. Von
Melas abandoned Piedmont, and concentrated his forces at Ales-
sandria. The French, on the 9th and 10th, defeated von Ott at
Casteggio and Montebello ; on the 14th, crushed von Melas at
Marengo ; and, on the 15th, by the convention of Alessandria,
were put in possession of Alessandria, Tortona, Milan, Turin,
Arena, Piacenza, Savona, Genoa, Pozzighettone, Corio, and other
strongholds. The reverse of fortune was so sudden and unexpected
that on June 22nd, when Suchet reoccupied Genoa, the Minotaur
had difficulty in warping out in time to avoid finding herself under
batteries fully manned by the enemy.
General Vaubois still held Malta, although, at the beginning of
1800, he had received no supplies from without since the early part
of February, 1799, and although his army, shut up in Valetta, and
closely pressed by Maltese, Neapolitans, and British, was already
suffering to some extent from disease as well as from incipient
famine. In February, 1800, Lord Keith's blockading force off the
island consisted of the Queen Charlotte, 100 (flag), Captain Andrew
Todd ; Foudroyant, 80, Rear-Admiral Lord Nelson, Captain Sir
Edward Berry; Audacious, 74, Captain Davidge Gould; North-
umberland, 74, Captain George Martin (2) ; Alexander, 74, Lieut.
William Harrington (actg.1) ; Lion, 64, Captain Manley Dixon ;
the Neapolitan frigate Sirena, and two or three small craft. On
February 15th the Commander-in-Chief learnt from the Success, 32,
Captain Shuldham Peard, which had been cruising off the south-
west of Sicily, that a small French squadron was about to attempt
to throw troops and stores into Malta. This squadron, which had
quitted Toulon on February 7th,2 consisted, as it afterwards
appeared, of the Genereux, 74, flagship of Rear-Admiral Perree,
Badine, 28, Fauvette, 20, Sans Pareille, 20, and two or three
transports, among which was the Ville de Marseilles. To prevent
1 For Captain Alexander John Ball, who was serving ashore at Malta.
2 Some French authorities say the 10th.
1800.] CAPTURE OF THE "GENEBEUX." 419
this little force from carrying out its mission, Keith, in the Queen
Charlotte, kept close off the entrance to Valetta harbour, and ordered
the Foudroijant, Audacious, and Northumberland to chase to wind-
ward, the wind being south-east, and the Lion to watch the channel
between Malta and Gozo. The Alexander was at the time on the
south-east side of the island.
At dawn on February 18th, the Alexander sighted and chased
M. Perree, and was observed by Nelson's division. At 8 A.M.,
Harrington forced the Ville de Marseilles to bring to. At 1.30 P.M.,
the Badine and the two corvettes tacked, but the Genereux, not
having it in her power to do so without getting to close quarters
with the Alexander, bore up. At that time, the Success, 32, which
was to leeward, greatly annoyed the Frenchman by lying athwart
his hawse and raking him repeatedly ; but she could not avoid
presently receiving a broadside, which killed one, and wounded nine
of her people. By 4.30 P.M., the Foudroijant and Northumberland
coming up, the Genereux, after a couple of guns had been discharged
at her, fired a broadside and struck her colours. That the enemy
did not make a more determined defence is probably due to the
fact that, early in the action, Perree was badly injured in the left
eye, and that a little later he was mortally wounded by a shot
which carried away his right thigh. He was a gallant and capable
man, whose loss was much regretted by the many British officers
who had met him either as friend or as foe.
The non-arrival of the Genereux and convoy was a bitter blow
to Vaubois, although, as Perree's squadron had on board three
thousand troops, the supplies, had they been thrown into the place,
would have been quickly consumed. In Valetta an egg was already
worth tenpence ; a rat, one and eightpence ; and a rabbit, ten
shillings ; and typhus was raging. The French general, therefore,
determined to send Bear-Admiral Denis Decres, in the Guillaume
Tell, 80, to Toulon to apprise the government of his condition, and
to explain that, unless relieved, he could not hold out beyond June.
In the meantime, Lord Keith, by proclamation, announced a
blockade of Toulon, Marseilles, Nice, and the Riviera, and proceeded
in the Queen Charlotte to Leghorn, off which port, as has been seen,
the three-decker so miserably perished. Lord Nelson, also, quitted
the neighbourhood of Malta, going first to Palermo, and thence,
with the Hamiltons, to Leghorn, and so overland to England.1 It
1 Landing at Yarmouth on Nov. 6th, having spent nearly five months on the journey.
2 E 2
420
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1800.
is clear, both from his correspondence and from the testimony of
all who met him on the way, that he was still very much " Sicili-
fied," and that, indeed, he did not possess the mental balance which
was ordinarily his most striking characteristic : and it is well,
perhaps, for his country, if not for his private reputation, that,
instead of remaining any longer in the Mediterranean, where the
exigencies of the service and the remonstrances of his best friends
prevented him from freely enjoying the society of the woman whom
he loved, and so kept him in a state of fever and unrest,1 he flung
aside, for a season, his public ties, and devoted himself entirely to
the passion which, for the time, monopolised his thoughts. The
absence of the flag-officers left ' Troubridge, in the Culloden, in
charge of the blockade of Malta ; and, when Troubridge was
COMMEMORATIVE MEDAL OF NELSON'S RETURN TO ENGLAND IN 1800.
(From an original lent by H.S.H. Capt. Prince Louis of Battenbcrg, U.K.)
temporarily called elsewhere, towards the end of March, the British
force off the island consisted of the Lion, 64, Captain Manley Dixon ;
Foudroyant, 80, Captain Sir Edward Berry; Alexander, 74, Lieut.
William Harrington (actg.) ; Penelope, 36, Captain the Hon. Henry
Blackwood, and a few small craft.
It was on March 30th that at 11 P.M. on a dark night and
with a strong southerly gale, the Guillaume Tell, Captain Saulnier,
with Bear-Admiral Decres on board, weighed in pursuance of the
determination of Vaubois, and put to sea. Within the hour, the
Penelope sighted her, and at once despatched the Minorca, 16,
1 " I have been left here " (off Malta) " very unwell, and am this day going to
Palermo for the benefit of my health." Nelson to Lady Nelson, March 10th, 1800
(Literature, 1898, p. 359). The Hamiltons were then at Palermo. Spencer, on
May 9th, wrote to Nelson that he had better come home than remain at Palermo
inactive in a foreign court. Nicolas, iv. 242.
1800.] CAPTURE OF THE "GUILLAUME TELL." 421
Commander George Miller, to warn Captain Dixon, who lay at
anchor at some little distance off the harbour's mouth. Blackwood
then stood after the Frenchman, who was on the starboard tack
under a press of sail, and, at 12.30 A.M. on March 31st, luffed
up under the 80's stern, and delivered into it her port broadside
of 18-prs. ; next bearing up under the enemy's port quarter and
delivering into that her starboard broadside. Decres replied only
with his stern guns, realising as he did that, if he brought to to
engage, his little opponent would soon receive assistance ; for ships
were visible on the horizon. He therefore continued on a north-
east course ; and Blackwood, manoeuvring the Penelope with con-
summate skill, and again and again raking his enemy, at length
brought down the Frenchman's main and mizen topmasts and
main yard. By that time day was about to break. Soon after
5 A.M. the Lion, which had slipped her cable, interposed herself
between the Penelope and the Guillaume Tell, gave the latter at
the closest possible range a passing broadside of treble-shotted
guns, and, luffing up across her bows and carrying away the
enemy's jibboom, raked her steadily until about 5.30 A.M. By
that time the Lion was so damaged that she was unmanageable,
and dropped astern ; but neither she nor the Penelope ceased firing
occasionally. At 6 A.M., the Foudroyant, which, upon the alarm
being given, had been at anchor three miles north-east of Valetta
lighthouse, and which had slipped and crowded sail, arrived upon
the scene, and, running along the Guillaume Tell's starboard side,
summoned her to strike, at the same moment pouring in a treble-
shotted broadside The French 80 gallantly replied, and with good
effect ; and the Foudroyant, carrying too much sail, shot ahead,
and could not at once regain a position yardarm to yardarm. When
she did so, she quickly suffered badly, losing in a few minutes her
foretopmast, maintopsail yard, jibboom, and spritsail yard, and
being reduced to quit her brave foe, which, however, was still
engaged on the port side by the Lion, and on the port quarter by
the Penelope. At 6.30 A.M. the Guillaume Tell lost her main and
mizen masts, and the Foudroyant, having freed herself from the
wreck of her spars, was again in action. At 8 A.M. the Frenchman's
foremast went; and at 8.20, with the Foudroyant, 80, on her
starboard quarter, the Lion, 64, on her port quarter, and the
Penelope, 36, close ahead of her, the Guillaume Tell, after a most
splendid defence of nearly eight hours, hauled down her colours.
422 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1800.
The two British line-of-battle ships were too damaged to take
possession of her : the honour, therefore, hecame the Penelope's}-
In this memorable action the Foudroyant lost 8 killed and
69 wounded (out of a complement of 719) ; the Lion, 8 killed,
and 38 wounded (out of a complement on board of only about 300) ;
and the Penelope, 1 killed and 3 wounded ; the total British loss
being, therefore, 17 killed and 110 wounded.2 The Guillaitme T ell's
loss does not appear to be accurately known. One French account
puts it at " upwards of 200 killed and wounded " ; another, at
" half her people." She certainly lost heavily. Both Decres and
Saulnier were badly wounded. The former was rewarded with a
grant of the " Arms of Honour," which Napoleon instituted as a
decoration ere he founded the Legion of Honour ; and, on his
exchange, he was at once made maritime prefect at Lorient.
The Penelope towed the prize to Syracuse. She was a vessel of
2265 tons measurement, or 203 tons larger than her chief opponent,
the Foudroyant ; and, renamed Malta, she became, next to the
Tonnant, the greatest two-decker in the British Navy.
In spite of the non-arrival of succour, General Vaubois held
Valetta through April, May, July, and August. Food, water, fuel
were gradually exhausted ; and towards the end of the blockade
his men died at the rate of upwards of a hundred a day. When
he realised that capitulation was inevitable, he made an effort to
save the frigates Diane, 40, and Justice, 40, by sending them to
sea on the night of August 24th ; but they were quickly seen and
chased by the Northumberland, 74, Captain George Martin (2),
Genereux, 74, Captain Manley Dixon, and Success, 32, Captain
Shuldham Peard ; and, although the Justice, Captain Jean Ville-
neuve, escaped and reached Toulon, the Diane, Captain Solen,
which had but one hundred and fourteen men on board, was
engaged and taken, thanks mainly to the Success. As there was
already a Diana in the service, the prize was ultimately added to
the Navy as the Niobe.3
On September 4th, the wretched remains of the Valetta garrison
sent out a flag of truce to the commander of the allied forces on
shore ; and on the following day the terms of capitulation were
1 Dixon to Keith, Mar. 31st.
2 The British officers killed were Mr. Henry Damerell, Master (Penelope), and
Mr. Hugh Roberts, Midshipman (Lion).
She measured 1142 tons, and was one of the best vessels of her class.
8
1800.] SURRENDER OF MALTA. 423
settled, on the one hand by Major-General Pigot, and Captain
George Martin (2), and, on the other, by General Vaubois and
Bear-Admiral Villeneuve. There were surrendered with the port
the two Maltese 64's Athenien (which was added to the Navy) and
Dego (which was not seaworthy), the Maltese frigate Cartagenaise
(which also was not seaworthy), and two merchantmen, one brig,
a xebec, and several gunboats and small craft. Soon afterwards,
Captain Alexander John Ball, to whom the fall of Valetta was
very largely owing, was, to the great joy of the inhabitants,
appointed governor of Malta.
It has already been mentioned that at the end of 1799,
General Kleber sent commissioners on board the Tigre to treat
with Commodore Sir William Sidney Smith for the evacuation of
Egypt, and that, immediately afterwards, the Tigre was blown off
the coast by a gale of wind. During her absence at sea conferences
were carried on, and, in consequence of them, after her return to
Alexandria on January 17th, the representatives of the countries
concerned landed and went to El Arich, where, on January 24th,
a convention was agreed to and signed by the French and Turkish
commissioners. On January 28th, it was ratified at Salahieh by
General Kleber himself ; but it was not signed by the Commodore,1
who contented himself with sending home a copy of it. On
March 25th, the Gazette announced that, in virtue of it, it had
been agreed " that the French troops now in Egypt shall evacuate
the country and shall be allowed to return to France." In the
meantime, however, Lord Keith, who had been apprised of the
terms of the convention, declined, in pursuance, it would appear,
rather of general than of particular instructions from home, to
consent to any capitulation which did not involve the surrender of
the French as prisoners of war. Information to this effect was
conveyed to Kleber in March ; and the general, who was naturally
much surprised, at once determined to retaliate by wreaking what
vengeance he could upon the Turks, the only body of his enemies
that lay within his reach.2
Kleber, therefore, attacked the Turks on March 20th at Helio-
polis, and, after five days' fighting, defeated them with enormous
1 Smith had, however, signed on December 29th a preliminary agreement, which,
he considered, fully bound his country. Nelson strongly urged him not to treat.
2 Keith's refusal to agree to the convention was the more mortifying to Kleber,
seeing that, confident that it would be ratified, the French had already, in pursuance
of it, evacuated certain positions with a view to embarking.
424
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1800.
slaughter, and presently repossessed himself of most of his old
positions.1 In June, the British Government, having in the
interval thought better of the convention of El Arich, authorised
Lord Keith to renew negotiations and to accede to the arrangements
as originally determined by Sir William Sidney Smith ; but Kleber,
perhaps distrustful of those who, he imagined, had already deceived
him, and certainly more firmly established than he had been in
December, 1799, was no longer in a compliant mood ; nor, after
his assassination on June 14th, was his successor, General Menou,
any more inclined to treat.2
After the visit of Sir Edward Pellew's squadron to the coasts
of the Morbihan, in June, part of that squadron, together with
other ships, was put under the orders of Eear-Admiral Sir John
Borlase Warren, and detached from the Channel upon an expedition
against six Spanish ships of the line 3 which lay ready for sea in the
port of Ferrol. On August 25th, Sir John reached the bay of Playa
de Dominos with the following vessels : — 4
Ships.
Guns. Commanders.
Renown ....
London ....
Impetueux .
Courageux .
Captain ....
Indefatigable
Amelia ....
Amethyst.
Stag
_, /He
'4 (Ca
!i8 '
7rf
74
74
44
44
38
32
28
18
ar-Adm. Sir J. B. Warren, Bart., K.B. (B).
pt. Thomas Eyles.
John Child Purvis.
Sir Edward Pellew, Bart.
Samuel Hood (2).
Sir Richard John Strachan, Bart.
Hon. Henry Curzon.
Hon. Charles Herbert (1).
John Cooke (1).
Robert Winthrop.
Hon. Charles Paget.
Micajah Malbon.1
Brilliant ....
Cynthia ....
1 1'uste:! Aug. 11th.
and some small craft and transports, conveying troops under
Lieut. -General Sir James Pulteney. That evening, after a fort
had been silenced by the fire of the Impetueux, Brilliant, Cynthia,
and St. Vincent, gunboat, the troops, with sixteen field-guns, were
J In particular, he drove out a small British detachment which had been landed
from the Centurion, 50, at Suez.
2 This eccentric man had been a colonial deputy in the Constituent Assembly, and
had since embraced Mahometanism, and assumed the name of Abdallah.
3 Part of Massaredo's fleet. They were the San Hermenegildo, 112 ; Seal Carlos,
112 ; San Fernando, 96 ; Argonauta, 80 ; San Antonio, 74 ; and San Augustin, 74.
4 The Gibraltar, 80, Captain William Hancock Kelly, and Ajax, 80, Captain Hon.
Alexander Inglis Cochrane, which were detached with Warren, proceeded directly to
Gibraltar.
1800.] FAILURE OF TEE FERBOL EXPEDITION. 425
disembarked without loss, and, aided by a detachment of seamen,
drove back a body of the enemy. This skirmish was followed
by a somewhat more serious one at daybreak on the 26th, the
upshot being that the British made themselves masters of the
heights overlooking the town and harbour. But the General,
deterred, as his dispatch suggests, by the strength of the enemy
and of the defences, made no further effort, and later in the day
re-embarked his men. It seems likely that he allowed himself to be
misled by the reports of prisoners, and that, in fact, he could have
easily taken Ferrol had he seriously attempted the task. The failure
did not, however, reflect in the slightest degree upon the Navy.
Proceeding, Warren joined the Commander-in-Chief at Gibraltar ;
whence, on October 2nd, Lord Keith sailed with twenty-two ships
of the line, thirty-seven frigates and sloops, and eighty transports,
carrying about eighteen thousand men under General Sir Ealph
Abercromby. His object was an attack upon Cadiz and the
capture of the Spanish squadron which lay at anchor there ; but,
upon the town being summoned, it appeared that the plague was
raging in the place. From motives, therefore, of prudence as well
as of humanity, the project was abandoned, and the expedition
returned to the Eock. When it sailed again, its destination was the
coast of Egypt ; but its operations against the enemy in that quarter
did not begin until the following year.
In extra-European waters the Navy did little that calls for
mention in this chapter, although it did some brilliant deeds which
will claim attention in the next. On September llth, the Nereide,
36, Captain Frederick Watkins, being off Amsterdam, in the island
of Cura9oa, received on board a deputation from the inhabitants,
who, tired of republican domination, claimed British protection.
On the 13th, a capitulation was signed in form ; and Captain
Watkins, by landing his men and occupying the forts, induced such
French troops as were in the island to evacuate it on the 22nd.
There were in the harbour forty-four craft of various sorts, but
no ships of war, and, apparently, only one privateer. Some other
privateers had made their escape, after having been much annoyed
by Acting Lieut. Michael Fitton, who, commanding the Active,
a little eighty-four ton schooner, which was tender to the flagship
on the station, and which mounted eight 12-pr. carronades, more
than once won the warm approval of Captain Watkins.1
1 Gazette, 1800.. 1330, 1331.
426 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1800-1801.
The year 1801 witnessed great changes both in the internal and
in the external relations of the British islands. On the first day
of the year the parliamentary union of Great Britain and Ireland
took effect, and the present Union Flag was adopted as expressive
of that union ; 1 and, a few months later, a confederation of the
northern Powers, entered into with the object of obliging Great
Britain to forego the long-established right of searching neutrals for
contraband of war, threatened to add materially to the difficulties
of King George's government, and forced it to employ swift and
strong measures in order to protect its interests.
Questions connected with the enforcement of the right of search
had already led to difficulties with the northern Powers, and had
been responsible for the formation in 1780 of the coalition known
as the First Armed Neutrality ; but Sweden had abandoned that
coalition in 1787 ; and Kussia in 1793 had by treaty expressly
recognised Great Britain's right to search neutral vessels.2 The
formation of the Second Armed Neutrality arose generally out of
the conviction on the part of the northern Powers that, with the
right of search abolished, they could carry on a profitable trade
with France ; and this conviction was, it need hardly be said, care-
fully encouraged by Bonaparte. But the immediate causes of the
Northern Coalition of 1801 were as follows.
On July 25th, 1800, a small British squadron3 under Captain
Thomas Baker, being off Ostend, fell in with the Danish frigate
Freja, 40, having under her convoy two ships, two brigs and two
galliots. Captain Baker hailed her to say that he would send
his boat on board the convoy. The Danish captain, Krabbe, replied
that, if such an attempt were made, he would fire into the boat.
Baker lowered a boat and put a Midshipman and four men into her ;
whereupon the Freja fired several shot,4 striking the Nemesis and
killing a man. Baker at once returned a broadside, and, after a
spirited action of twenty minutes, the Freja struck, and was carried,
with her convoy, into the Downs. She had lost two killed and five
1 See description and sketches in the previous chapter, p. 188.
2 Koch and Scholl, iv. 3-t; vi. 92; and judgments of Sir W. Scott in Robinson's
' Reports.'
3 Nemesis, 28, Captain Thomas Baker ; Prevoyante, 40, Captain John Seater ;
Terpsichore, 32, Captain William Hall Gage ; Arrow, 18, Com. William Bolton (1) ; and
Nile, lugger, 10, Lieut. Richard Whitehead.
* Krabbe's report distinctly charges the British with having fired first, and declares
that the Freja's first shot did not take effect.
1801.] EXPEDITION TO THE BALTIC. 427
wounded. The Nemesis and Arrow each had two killed and several
wounded. Vice-Admiral Skeffington Lutwidge, commanding in the
Downs, ordered the Freja's colours and pennant to be kept flying,
and maintained only an unarmed party of British officers and
seamen in her. Seeing that a somewhat similar affair l had occurred
in the Mediterranean during the previous December, the British
government despatched Lord Whitworth to Copenhagen with
instructions to come to an understanding on the subject ; and, to
support the negotiator, it also sent to the Sound a squadron 2 of
men-of-war under Vice-Admiral Archibald Dickson. On August 29th,
it was agreed between Lord Whitworth and Count Bernstorff that
the Freja and her convoy should be repaired at British expense and
then released ; that the asserted right of search should be further
discussed at a further conference to be held in London ; and that,
in the meantime, Danish vessels in the Mediterranean should have
convoy only to protect them from the Algerines, and should be liable
to be searched as before. It was also agreed that the convention
to this effect should be ratified within three weeks.
The difficulty with Denmark, therefore, was in a fair way of
adjustment. Eussia, however, chose to enter into the quarrel, and,
having sequestered 3 all British property in the Empire, mobilised
her army and navy. When, in November, 1800, she learnt of the
capture of Malta, to which the Tsar had pretentious, she took the
additional step of laying an embargo on all British shipping in
Russian ports ; and in December, in conjunction with Sweden, she
revived the Armed Neutrality of 1780. To this Denmark was
induced by Russia and Prussia to adhere.
Great Britain could not abandon the right of search ; and
measures were at once taken to prove to the coalition that she had
no idea of giving way.
On March 12th, 1801, a large fleet4 under Admiral Sir Hyde
Parker (2), Vice- Admiral Lord Nelson, and Rear- Admiral Thomas
Graves (3),s and having on board the 49th Regiment, under Colonel
1 In that case the Emerald and flora were the British vessels concerned.
2 In this squadron the first trial at sea was made of the improved system of signals
invented by Sir H. B. Popham.
3 This sequestration was annulled in about three weeks.
* The bulk of the fleet sailed on the 12th, but a few vessels departed later.
6 Rear-Adm. Totty did not sail with the fleet, but, following it in the Invincible, 74,
Captain John Rennie, was wrecked on Hammond's Knowl, off the coast of Norfolk, on
March 16th. Captain Rennie and about 400 people perished. Rear-Adm. Totty
afterwards proceeded in the Zealous, 74, and joined after the action.
428 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
Isaac Brock, two companies of rifles (the 95th Kegiment), and some
artillery commanded by Captain Peter Fyers,1 the whole under
Colonel Stewart, sailed from Yarmouth road for the Baltic. James
comes to the conclusion that in that sea Denmark then had ready
for service ten, Sweden eleven, and Kussia about twenty effective
ships of the line ; and, as the British fleet consisted only of eighteen,
besides frigates and small craft, the force despatched, even though
it had Nelson with it, and although the possible enemy included
three different nationalities, was not excessive.
Ahead of the fleet went the Blanche, 32, Captain Graham Eden
Hamond, carrying the Hon. Nicholas Vansittart, who had full
power to treat, and whom, it was hoped, the Danes would listen to ;
but on March 23rd, when the Blanche rejoined, bringing away the
British charge d'affaires, Mr. Drummond, she reported that the
Danes were openly defiant, and that they were doing all that lay in
their power to add to their means of defence.
In the interim the progress of the fleet had been delayed by bad
weather. It did not make the Naze 2 until March 18th, and during
the two following days it experienced such heavy gales that, on
the 21st, Parker anchored at the entrance of the Sound to collect his
scattered command. In the course of the gale, the Tickler, gun-
brig, 12, and Russell, 74, narrowly escaped being lost ; and the
Blazer, gun-brig, 12, Lieut. Jonah Tiller,3 being driven under the
Swedish batteries at Varberg, was there captured.4 Even when
the weather had improved, Parker delayed. He listened to pilots
who magnified the dangers of the passage which he was about
to attempt, and he sent a flag of truce to Helsingor,5 to ask if the
governor of that fortress purposed to oppose the passage of the fleet
through the Sound. But at (5 A.M. on March 30th, the British
weighed, and, with a fine N.N.W. breeze, entered the Sound in line
ahead, the van being commanded by Lord Nelson who, on the 29th,
had shifted his flag from the St. George, 98, to the Elephant, 74,
as being of less draught, and the rear being commanded by Graves,
in the Defiance. An hour later the Helsingor batteries opened on
the leading ship, the Monarch, 74; and they fired successively
1 Fyers was appointed by Parker engineer to the expedition, he having had previous
opportunities of examining the defences. White, ' Mems. of Nelson,' 198, etc.
2 Liudesnes.
3 Lieutenant, 1783.
4 She was subsequently restored.
6 The Elsinore of Shakespeare.
IHE SOUND AND THE: APPROACHES TO COPE.NHACE.N
3 f . . ? . , '?
[To face j>. 428.
1801.] EXPEDITION TO THE BALTIC. 429
at the other ships as they passed ; but the range was too great for
any damage to be done. Only the van ships replied, and these
contented themselves with discharging two or three broadsides.
The bomb-vessels, however, threw numerous shells into Kronborg
and Helsingor, and caused some casualties. The sole loss on the
British side was occasioned by the bursting of a 24-pr. in the Isis,
where seven men were killed or wounded. The guns of Helsingborg,
on the Swedish side of the strait, remained silent ; and, as soon as
it was observed that they were not firing, the British line crossed
over so as to pass near them and avoid all danger from the Danish
batteries.
Soon, after midday the fleet dropped anchor above the Swedish
island of Hveen, which is about fifteen miles from Copenhagen ;
and the Commander-in-Chief, accompanied by Lord Nelson, Bear-
Admiral Graves, and Captain William Domett, Captain of the Fleet,
proceeded, in the Lark, lugger, 14, Lieut. Thomas Henry Wilson,
to reconnoitre. They came to the conclusion that the defences
of Copenhagen were of an exceedingly formidable nature ; yet,
at a council of war held in the evening, Nelson, after warmly
opposing a policy of delay, which was urged by some officers, offered
to undertake the attack with ten sail of the line, and the small craft
attached to the fleet. The offer was willingly accepted by Parker,
who gave Nelson not only the ten sail of the line asked for, but
also a 54 and a 50-gun ship. The Vice- Admiral's detachment, as
ultimately constituted, was composed, therefore, of the ships
mentioned in the note on the following page.
Apart from the works defending the city, there were many
obstacles in the way of the success of Nelson's undertaking. The
channel of approach was intricate and little known ; the buoys had
been removed from it, or had been intentionally displaced ; and
a considerable number of hulks, which, though old, were well armed
and manned, were moored in such a position as to support and
co-operate with the forts on the sea-front. No sooner, then, was
the council of war over than Nelson, accompanied by several officers,
went away in a boat to sound and re-buoy what is known as the
Outer Channel,1 a narrow passage lying between the Island of
Saltholm and the Middelgrund shoal. It was at one time purposed
to attack the Danish defences from the north ; but, the Vice-Admiral
having made a further examination of the position on March 31st,
1 Otherwise called Hollaenderdyb.
430
MA JOS OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1801.
and the wind having changed, it was determined to approach from
the south.
The nature of the Danish position will be best grasped by
reference to the accompanying plan.1 It consisted, as will be seen,
of a line of eighteen men-of-war, armed hulks and floating batteries,
moored nearly north and south over a distance of about a mile
and a half along the edge of the shoal bordering Amager Island and
facing the deep-water channel called Kongedyb. The order of these
vessels, proceeding from south to north, is indicated in note 2 on
page 431. On shore, behind this line of vessels, were several covering
batteries. At the north end of the line were the two Trekroner
Forts,3 built on piles, and mounting, one, thirty 24-prs.,. and the
other, thirty-eight 36-prs. ; and moored near them were the two-
deckers Elephanten and Mars, without their masts. Beyond the
Trekroner Forts, and in the fairway leading south-westwards to the
Squadron under Lord Nelson in the action with the defences of Copenhagen,
April 2nd, 180], with the loss suffered by each ship, as officially returned. (The
(-lightly wounded are not included.)
COMMANDERS.
Smrs. Guxs. * KUled.
t Wounded.
Loss.
Killed. Wounded.
FlBST LlKUTEKAKTS.
* Killed,
t Wounded.
. , . ,(Vice-Adm. Lord Nelson, K.B. (B).l
• ' ' 74 ICapt. Thomas Foley (3). j
10 13
William Wilkinson.
(Rear-Adm. Thomas Graves (3),|
Defiance. ... 74 -J (W).
24 51
David Mudie.
(Capt. Richard Retalick. )
Edgar ... 74 „ George Murray (3).
31 111
Edmund Johnson.*
Monarch.
74 ,, James Robert Mo=se.*
56 161
John Yellaud.
Bellona . . .
_, ( „ Sir Thomas Boulden Thomp-1
1 ( son.f /
11 72
John Delafons.
Ganges .
74 , Thomas Francis Fremantle.
7 1
William Morce.
Kussell . . .
71
, William Coming.
6
Samuel Batemau.
Agamemnon
64
, Robert Deverenx Fancourt.
Ardent .
64
, Thomas Bertie (2).
30 64
Andrew Mott (1).
Polyphemus
64
, John Lawford
6 25
Edward Hodder.
Gldtton . . .
51
, William Bligh.
18 37
Robert Brown Tom.
/si's ....
50
. James Walker (2).
33 88
Robert Tinkler.
Amazon .
38
, Edward Riou.*
14 23
Joseph Ore Masefiekl.
Desiree .
40
, Henry Inman.
4
Andrew Kiiig.t
Blanche .
36
, Graham Eden Hamoud.
7 9
Thomas M'Culloch.
Alcmlne . . .
32
, Samuel Sutton.
5 19
Robert Wallace Dimlop.
Jamaica.
26
, Jonas Rose.
Arrow
30
, William Holton (1)
Dart
30
John Ferris Devonshire.
3 1
Richard Edward Sandys *
Cruiser .
18 Cc
in. James Brisbane
Harpy . . .
18
, William Birchall.
Itiscovery, bomb
16
, John Conn.
Explosion, bomb
e
, John Henry Martin.
llecla, bomb
10
, Richard Ilatherill.
Sulphur, bomb.
10
, Heuder Whitter.
Terror, bomb .
1 *
, Samuel Campbell Rowley.
Volcano, bomb .
8
, James Watson (1).
Zebra, bomb
16
, Edward Sneyd Clay.
Otter, fireship .
1 11
, George M'Kinley.
Zephyr, fireship
14
, Clotworthy Upton.
and six gun-brigs, which, however, were unable to get into action, owing to the current. They were
in charge of Captain Rose of the Jamaica.
See opposite.
These and the xebecs had furnaces for heating shot.
\\
ATTACK ON COPENHAGEN
£"•? J8OJ.
ITo .face 11. 430.
1801.]
BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN.
431
harbour of Copenhagen, lay two other ships of the line, a 40-gun
frigate, and two 18-gun brigs ; while on the north-west shore of this
fairway were other batteries, and, on the shoal to the south-east
of it, a number of armed xebecs, other xebecs being distributed to
cover some of the intervals in the line of hulks.
On the morning of April 1st the whole British fleet weighed
from its anchorage off Hveen, and presently reanchored, about six
miles from Copenhagen, off the north-west point of the Middelgrund,
the shoal which lies in front of the city, and which divides the
Hollsenderdyb from the Kongedyb. Nelson went on board the
Amazon, and again reconnoitred ; and at 1 P.M., after his return
to the Elephant, he signalled to his squadron to weigh, the signal
being received with cheers. There remained with the Commander-
in-Chief : —
Ships.
Guns.
Commanders.
(Admiral Sir Hyde Parker (2), (B>
London ....
98
] Capt. William Domett, 1st.
( , Kobert Waller Otway, 2nd.
St. George
98
, Thomas Masterman Hardy.1
Warrior ....
74
, Charles Tyler (1).
Defence ....
74
Lord Henry Paulet.
Saturn ....
74
Kobert Stuart Lambert.
Ramillies
74
James William Taylor Dixon.
Baitonnable .
64
Julm Dilkes.
Veteran ....
64
Archibald Collingwood Dickson.
1 Captain Hardy, however, accompanied Nelson in the Elephant
2 Floating defences of Copenhagen, April 2nd, 1801 : —
Vessels. Guns.
Description. Fate.
1. I'riivefiteen .
2. Yalkyrien .
3. Jiendsbory .
4. Kytmrg . .
5. Jylland .
6. Svardfitken
1. Kronbory
8. JIaien . .
9. Dannebroy .
66
48
20
20
48
20
22
20
62
6
24
20
74
26
18
60
64
20
70
74
74
74
40
18
18
4
Three-decker, rase, without maets.
Two-decker, without masts.
Masted cavalry transport.
Twu-decker, without masts.
Masted floating battery.
Frigate, without masts.
Masted floating battery.
Dismantled two-decker.
Sloop, rigged.
I'utt'Tv, without masts.
Cavalry transport, without masts.
Two-decker, unrigged.
01(1 Inili.mmn.
Maxted floating battery.
lUgged line of battleship.
Two-decker, without masts.
Klgged frigate.
Line of battleship, without masts.
Rigged line of battleship.
Rigged frigate.
Rigged brig.
Abandoned, taken, burnt.
Driven ashore, taken, burnt.
Escaped, but sank.
Taken and burnt.
Took flrf, and blew up after action.
Escaped.
Escaped, but sank.
Driven ashore, taken, burnt.
Taken and burnt.
Taken and added to the Navy.
Taken and burnt.
Escaped.
11. Gerncr .
12. Afffferthuul .
13. Sjftlland. .
14. Charlotte Amal
15. Sokesten . .
16. Ill-' 1:, II . .
17. Infodstretten
18. Hj&lperen .
ElephanUn .
Mart .
1
^ (Danmark .
Ja \ Trekroner .
shrii . . .
Ǥ \Narpen . .
a 1 XuUlven .
12 xebecs, each
432 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
Lord Nelson's squadron, piloted by the Amazon, entered the
Outer Channel, or Hollasnderdyb, and, with a N.W. wind, proceeded
along the exterior edge of the Middelgrund, and anchored near the
southern point of that shoal at about 8 P.M. In order to draw closer
to the town, the ships would have had to beat up against the wind
along a narrow and difficult channel ; and the Vice-Admiral had,
of course, no intention of allowing them to attempt such a perilous
adventure in the dark. Indeed, he would have scarcely permitted
them to do so had it been day ; for not until 11 P.M. that night did
he know for certain that the channel was practicable. At that hour
he was informed of the fact by Captain Hardy, who, having put off
in a small boat, had cautiously and silently ascertained the bearing
of the south point of the Middelgrund, and had even satisfied
himself, using a pole to avoid the splash accompanying the use
of the lead, of the depth of water within a few yards of the
Provesteen.1 Nelson was too preoccupied to sleep, but sat up,
arranging the order of battle, and preparing instructions, assisted
by Foley and Eiou.
At 7 A.M. on April 2nd, the wind then blowing from the S.E. and
being therefore favourable for the attack, Nelson signalled for his
Captains, each of whom, an hour later, was in possession of all
necessary directions.2 Eiou, to whom, besides his own ship, the
Amazon, were entrusted the Blanche, Alcmene, Arrow, Dart, Otter,
and Zephyr, was ordered,3 in the first place, to co-operate against
the northern end of the Danish line and against the vessels lying off
the harbour's mouth, and, in the second, to act as circumstances
might indicate. Kose, of the Jamaica, with the six gun-brigs, was
to endeavour to take up a position from which to rake the Danish
1 Hardy discovered that the water was deeper near the Danish line than on the
Middelgrund side ; and, had his discovery been acted upon, the Mussell and Bellona
would not have grounded when going into action.
2 Nelson's plans, as disclosed in the orders given out on the morning of April 2nd,
indicate that he had an incorrect idea of the number and force of the ships forming the
Danish line off Amager Island and south of the Trekroner Ports. He put the number
at twenty, instead of at eighteen ; and he included in it nine, instead of only six ships of
the line. To show how completely these plans were upset by the accidents which
occurred, it may be mentioned that the Polyphemus, which, in the action, was the most
southward ship of the British line, was to have been the most northward ; and that the
three northern ships of the Danish line, which were to have been engaged by the
Russell and Polyphemus, would have been left entirely without opponents, had not
the Defiance and Monarch proceeded beyond the stations originally assigned to them.
3 The written order was "to perform such service as he is directed by Lord
Nelson."
1801.] BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN. 433
line from the south. The Desiree was to rake the Valkijrien and
the two ships north of her. The seven bombs were to take station
outside the British line, and to throw their shells over it. And
it was intended that, upon the fire of the larger of the Trekroner
Forts being silenced, the battery should be seized and occupied by
the 49th Regiment, and by a party of five hundred seamen under
Captain Fremantle. As for the larger vessels, which had already
prepared themselves, as before the battle of the Nile, by leading
cables out of their stern ports, they were to anchor by the stern
abreast of the ships in the enemy's line""; and, in proceeding to
their stations, ships were to pass their leaders on the starboard
hand,1 it being still supposed, in spite of Hardy's discovery to
the contrary, that there was less risk of grounding on that side
than on the other. These arrangements, as will be seen, could
not all be carried out.
At 9 A.M. Nelson caused the pilots and some of the Masters to
visit him ; and half an hour later he signalled for his squadron
to weigh in succession. The Edgar led ; and, entering the channel,
was fired at as soon as she was within range of the Provesteen. The
Agamenmon was to have followed, but, having anchored to eastward
of the shoal, was unable to weather its southern point, and had,
in consequence, to bring up. In the meantime the Polyphemus had
been signalled to take the Agamemnon's place ; and, with as much
despatch as possible, she followed, although, owing to the Agamem-
non's misfortune, the Edgar remained unsupported for a considerable
period. The Isis followed the Polyphemus. The Bellona, next in
order, passing the Isis on the starboard hand, grounded on the
Middelgrund, "owing to the unskilfulness or unsteadiness of her
Master, Mr. Alexander Briarly, who had undertaken the office of
pilot." The Russell, her next astern, took a similar course, and
grounded close behind her leader. The Elephant, when Nelson
perceived what had happened, put her helm a-starboard, and,
passing the grounded ships on their port hand, proceeded safely
to her station.3 The remaining heavy vessels, Defiance, Ganges,
Monarch, Ardent, and Glatton, pursuing the same course, also
1 This direction was given in deference to the wishes of the pilots, who were chiefly
mates of vessels trading from British northern ports to the Baltic, and who seem to
have been very incompetent. — Marshall, ii. 155.
2 James, iii. 71.
3 Abreast of the Dannebroy, bearing the broad pennant of Commodore Fischer, who
.afterwards shifted to the Holsteen, and, at about 2 P.M., to one of the Trekroner Forts.
VOL. IV. 2 P
434 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
reached without accident points more or less close to the positions
assigned to them ; but, in consequence of the absence from their
posts of the Agamemnon, Bellona, and Russell,1 some ships found
themselves confronted with much more work than it had been
intended to burden them with ; and, especially at the northern end,
where Riou and his little squadron most gallantly opposed the
Trekroner Forts, the line was unduly weak. The action began
VICE-ADMIRAL SIR THOMAS BKUTIK (FORMERLY HOAtt), KT.
(.from an engrarlny bii Page, after tlie portrait bij Lea.)
at 10.5 A.M. ; by 10.30 about half the British squadron was engaged ;
and before 11.30 the battle became general. The Desiree took up
a most excellent position athwart the hawse of the Provesteen ; but
the Jamaica and gun-brigs, except one of the latter, were prevented
by a strong current from reaching their stations ; and the bombs
were not able to be of much use.
When Nelson weighed, Parker did likewise, with a view to
1 The two latter, though aground, were within gunshot, and fired at the defences
abreast of them as opportunity offered.
1801.] BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN. 435
threatening the ships and defences off the harbour's mouth ; but,
with wind and current against him, his progress was very slow.
Not until towards the close of the fight were any of his ships 1 able
to approach sufficiently near to become more than a general menace
to the enemy.
For three hours the cannonade was furious. At 1 P.M. very few
of the Danish guns had been silenced; and, on the other hand,,
the Bellona and Russell were flying signals of distress, and the
Agamemnon was flying a signal of inability. Parker, who was
at some distance from the scene of the fighting, could not know all
the circumstances of the situation. He had at his elbow a Captain
of the Fleet who was exceedingly apprehensive that disaster was
very possible, if not imminent and inevitable ; and, at that officer's
pressing suggestion, he hoisted the signal to discontinue the action —
intending it not, however, as a positive order so much as an
authority to Nelson to withdraw in case such a measure should
appear to him to be advisable. This signal was made at about-
1 P.M., and was read by Nelson 2 as Parker intended it to be read,,
though Nelson did not at the time know that he had acted in
accordance with his chief's desires. The Vice-Admiral acknowledged
but did not repeat it, and, in the meantime, continued flying his.
own signal for close action. Graves, in the Defiance, repeated it,
but hoisted it only at his lee maintopsail yardarm, and kept the
signal for close action flying at the maintruck. Riou's division,,
which had been sorely mauled by the Trekroner batteries, and
which was too feeble to make head against them, alone took
1 The Defence, RamiUies, and Veteran were detached with directions to make
special efforts to succour the Vice-Admiral.
2 "About this time the signal-lieutenant" (of the Elephant) "called out that No. 3!>
(the signal for discontinuing the action) was thrown out hy the Commander-in-Chief.
He " (Nelson) " continued to walk the deck, and appeared to take no notice of it. The
signal-officer met him at the next turn, and asked if he should repeat it. 'No,' he
replied ; ' acknowledge it.' Presently he called after him to know if the signal for close
action was still hoisted ; and, being answered in the affirmative, said, ' Mind you keep it
so.' He now paced the deck, moving the stump of his lost arm in a manner which
always indicated great emotion. ' Do you know,' said he to Mr. Ferguson, ' what is
shown on board the Commander-in-Chief? Number 39!' Mr. Ferguson asked him
what that meant. ' Why, to leave off action.' Then, shrugging up his shoulders, he
repeated the words, ' Leave off action? Now damn me if I do! You know, Foley,'
turning to the Captain, ' I have only one eye : I have a right to be blind sometimes ; *'
and then, putting the glass to his blind eye, in that mood of mind which sports with,
bitterness, he exclaimed, 'I really do not see the signal.' Presently he exclaimed,
' Damn the signal ! Keep mine for closer battle flying ! That's the way I answer such,
signals. Nail mine to the mast,'" — Southey, ii. 124.
2 F 2
436 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
advantage of the permission thus accorded by the Commander-in-
Chief. Had these gallant little ships not done so, they would
probably have been destroyed. Unhappily, as the Amazon was
hauling off, her brave and admirable Captain was cut in two by
a round shot.1 Parker's motive in making the signal was excellent ;
and the result, in so far as the frigates were concerned, was good ;
yet it is difficult to avoid the reflection that the signal was even
more dangerous than the situation which it was designed to relieve.
If, for example, Graves, with his division, had taken advantage
of it, and had withdrawn, unconscious, as he well might have been,
owing to the smoke, that Nelson, with his division, was merely
acknowledging it, the consequences might well have been terrible,
and Nelson might have been annihilated. There are few things
more risky in naval warfare than for a Coinmander-in-Chief to issue
directions, which are likely to be read as inflexible orders, when he
is not on the spot, or when he is not fully cognizant of the situation
on the spot.
Half an hour later the Danish fire sensibly diminished, and
before 2 P.M. it ceased along the greater part of the southern end
of the line, although it was still very warm near the Trekroner
Forts, and, especially abreast of the Monarch and Defiance, it was
perhaps hotter than ever. Nelson was undoubtedly uneasy as to
the position of those vessels. He was also annoyed by the be-
haviour of the Danes, who continued to fire even from those craft
which had struck,2 and who would not allow his boats to take
possession.3 He felt that he might destroy some, at least, of the
prizes by sending his two fireships against them ; but he was
anxious to avoid useless expenditure of life ; and the destruction
of the prizes would not, he knew, relieve the ships at the north end
1 Edward Riou was a Lieutenant of 1780, a Commander of 1790, and a Captain
of 1791. He seems to have been about forty-three years of age at the time of his
death. He had won a golden reputation for courage and resource on account of his
•conduct when in command of the leaky convict transport Guardian in 1789-90.
See p. 106.
2 The fiannebroy, which both had struck and was on fire, behaved in this way to
the Elephants boat. Thereupon, the Elephant and Ganges re-opened their batteries
upon her until she drifted oft' in flames before the wind. At about 3.30 P.M. she
blew up.
3 " This arose from the nature of the action. The crews were continually reinforced
from the shore ; and fresh men, coming on board, did not inquire whether the flag had
been struck, or, perhaps, did not heed it ; many, or most of them, never having been
engaged in war before, knowing nothing, therefore, of its laws, and thinking only of
.defending their country to the last extremity." — Southey.
1801.] £ A TILE OF COPENHAGEN. 437
of his line, or enable them and the others to extricate themselves
from the narrow channel of the Kongedyb. It was then that,
resting on the casing of the rudder-head, he wrote to the Crown
Prince of Denmark the following letter : —
"To THE BROTHERS OF ENGLISHMEN, THE BRAVK DANES.
" Vice- Admiral Lord Nelson has been commanded to spare Denmark, when she no
longer resists. The line of defence which covered her shores has struck to the British
flag. Let the firing cease, then, that he may take possession of his prizes, or he will
blow them into the air along with their crews who have so nobiy defended them. The
brave Danes are the brothers, and should never be the enemies, of the English." :
Eefusing to fasten up the letter with a wafer, Nelson sent to the
cockpit for a candle ; and, having obtained wax and one of his own
desk seals which was larger than that which he ordinarily used, he
sealed the letter, remarking : " This is no time to appear hurried and
informal."
The letter was carried in, under a flag of truce, by Commander
Sir Frederick Thesiger, who was acting as an aide-de-camp to Lord
Nelson, and who found the Crown Prince near the sally-port. In
Thesiger's absence, the fire of the Holsteen, Infodstretten, and
Hjcelperen ceased, partly owing to the effect of the broadsides of
the Monarch and Defiance, and partly, perhaps, owing to the
approach to the scene of action of the Defence and Bamillies, which
had for some time been working up against the wind from Parker's
division. But the Trekroner Forts, and particularly the larger
of them, which had been reinforced, and which were still almost
uninjured, fought nearly as freshly as ever, and were, moreover,
considered to be too strong to be stormed. Nelson believed that
it was his duty to take advantage of the continuation of a favour-
able wind to concentrate his ships upon the Trekroner batteries,
and reduce them ; but Fremantle and Foley dissuaded him from
attempting this, and suggested that it would be wiser to endeavour
to extricate the squadron from its critical situation while the breeze
still served. Preparations to this end had been begun when Thesiger
returned, bringing with him Lindholm, the Danish adjutant-general.
Upon seeing his flag of truce, the Trekroner Forts ceased firing ;
and the action was not again renewed. It was then after 3 P.M.
The Crown Prince, through Lindholm, desired to know the
1 Several versions of this letter exist. The one here given is taken from a copy
which was, in 1820, in the possession of Sir Thomas Foley. All the versions, however,
though differing verbally, are much to the same effect. The original letter appears to
have been translated into Danish by Thesiger.
438 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
immediate object of the Vice-Admiral's letter. Nelson sent back
Thesiger with a reply in writing to the effect that his object
was humanity, and that he proposed to put an end to hostilities
upon conditions that the wounded Danes should be removed to the
shore, and that he should remove his unwounded prisoners from the
prizes, and burn or carry away the captured vessels as he might deem
best. He ended his second letter with the expression of a hope that
his victory would lead to a reconciliation. And while he despatched
Thesiger with the letter to the Crown Prince, he referred General
Lindholrn to Sir Hyde Parker, who was four miles away, and who
alone could make any definite arrangement. Nelson thus gained time.
He at once signalled for his ships to weigh or slip, and proceed.
They did so ; but the Monarch almost immediately grounded. She
was, howTever, shoved off again by the Ganges. The Glatton passed
out in safety. The Defiance and Elephant, ships of deeper draught,
piled up on the shoal about a mile from the Trekroner Forts, and,
but for the armistice, would have been in a most dangerous position.
The Elephant could not be moved until 8 ; the Defiance remained
hard and fast until 10 P.M. At the other end of the line, the Desiree,
having gone to the assistance of the Bellona, grounded near her.
The Bellona, in the meantime, got free by sending a boat, picking up
the cable of the Isis when that ship slipped, and hauling off by it.
Nelson had intended to rejoin the Commander-in-Chief in the
Elephant ; but when that ship grounded, and it seemed likely that
she would not immediately float again, he followed Lindholm in
a boat to the London. Soon after he had reached the flagship, a
twenty-four hours' truce was concluded, in order to allow of further
negotiations ; and it was arranged that the British should take
possession of the prizes. Lindholm then returned to Copenhagen,
and Nelson went on board his permanent flagship, the St. George.
The losses in the British ships engaged are set forth in the note
on page 430. The figures there given are taken from the official
returns, which, however, did not include a certain number of slightly
wounded. James considers that, had these been taken into account,
the number of killed and wounded in the fleet would have had to
be put at upwards of one thousand two hundred instead of at less
than nine hundred and fifty. The killed and mortally wounded, he
believes, numbered three hundred and fifty, many of the seriously
wounded having eventually succumbed.1 The British naval officers
1 James, iii. 7C.
1801.] LOSSES IN THE ACTION. 439
killed were : Captains James Eobert Mosse (Monarch), and Edward
Eiou (Amazon) ; Lieuts. Edmund Johnson (Edgar), George Gray
(Defiance), and Eichard Edward Sandys (Dart) ; Masters Daniel
Lamond (Isis), and Eobert Stewart (Ganges) ; Master's Mate Henry
Yaulden (Elephant) ; Midshipmen James Bell (Polyphemus), George
M'Kinley and Thomas Earn (Isis), the Hon. George Tucket
(Amazon), and George Hoare (Ardent) ; and Captain's Clerk Joseph
Eose (Amazon). In addition, there fell Lieutenants of Marines Ben-
jamin Spencer (Edgar), and Henry Long (Isis), besides a captain and
a lieutenant of foot, and two pilots. Among the officers wounded
were Captain Sir Thomas Boulden Thompson (Bellona) ; and Lieuts.
Andrew King (Desiree), Thomas Southey and Thomas Wilks
(Bellona), Eichard Cormack (7s is), Joshua Johnson and William
Goldfinch (Edgar), William Tindall (Glatton), William Minchin
(Monarch), and Henry Baker (Alcmene).
Most of the British ships were badly hit about the hull, and
lower rigging, the Danes having fired low. The Glatton was the
only vessel that lost a topmast. Numerous guns were disabled,
some by the enemy's shot, some by their own recoil, and, in the
Bellona and Isis, some by bursting. There is no doubt that the
cast-iron guns of the period, after long use, became very dangerous,
owing to changes which occur in the structure of masses of metal
subjected to frequent violent shocks ; and it is probable that the
guns which burst, burst solely on account of their age, both the
Bellona and Isis being old ships.
More than half of the Danish craft which had formed the line
along the shore of Amager Island were practically destroyed by the
British fire. They were reduced, that is, to a condition of absolute
uselessness. According to British accounts, the gallant enemy lost
in killed, wounded, and prisoners, about 6000 men. Commodore
Fischer estimated the number of killed and wounded, including
270 lost in the Dannebrog when she blew up, at not fewer than
between 1600 and 1800. The fate of the Danish vessels is shown
in the table on page 431. The defence had been most spirited and
desperate ; and the extraordinary bravery of two officers is to this
day commemorated in the Danish navy, where there are still craft
bearing the names Hauch l and Willemoes?
1 Hauch commanded the Kronborg and fell during the action.
2 Willemoes was a boy of seventeen, who had pushed off from the shore on a kind
of raft carrying six small guns, and manned by twenty-four men, and had placed
440 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
In comparing the strength of the forces engaged, James,1
curiously enough, omits from his computation the Trekroner Forts,
and Eiou's flotilla, which was opposed to them. It does not seem
to be fair to do this, seeing, especially, that the forts, though hotly
engaged, were never reduced, and that, towards the end of the
action, they greatly annoyed the Defiance. He also leaves out the
Bellona and Russell, though he admits that their fire was not wholly
ineffective. Including, on the one hand, Eiou's flotilla and the
Bellona a and Russell, and, on the other, the Trekroner Forts, we
get a total of about 1014 guns and carronades on the British, and
696 guns, — there do not seem to have been any carronades, — on the
Danish side. James, by his deductions, makes the totals much
more nearly equal, viz., British, 700 ; Danish, 628.
During the night following the battle, the British got off all
their grounded ships, except the Desiree, and brought out such
of the prizes as could be moved. In the succeeding six days, while
negotiations were going on, all the prizes, except the Holsteen, were
destroyed. On the 9th, an armistice for fourteen weeks was agreed
upon, it being arranged that in the meanwhile Denmark would take
no action under the treaty of armed neutrality, and that the British
might obtain from the shore water, food, and supplies. The
prisoners were returned upon the understanding that they would
still be held good for exchange in case hostilities should be renewed.
Sir Hyde sent home the Monarch and Isis, with the Holsteen and
most of his wounded ; and on April 12th he left the roadstead with
all the rest of his command except the St. George and one or two
small craft, his next object being to intimidate the Swedes and
Russians.3
He entered the Baltic by the difficult passage of the Hollaen-
derdyb and Drogden, between the islands of Amager and Saltholm,
although, ere he could do so, his heavier ships had to hoist out
many of their guns, put them into merchantmen, and, after getting
himself close under the stern of the Elephant. The ship's guns could not reach him;
but her Marines killed or wounded twenty of his people. Willemoes died fighting in
the Prinds Christian Fredcrik, on the occasion of her capture by the Stately and
Nassau, Mar. 22nd, 1808.
1 James, iii. 71J (ed. 1837).
2 She was near enough to lose eighty-three killed and wounded.
* Nelson was very annoyed that so much time had been spent in negotialion, after
the power of Denmark had been crippled. Had he been in command, he would have
hurried at once to Reval, as he wrote to Lord St. Vincent.
1801.]
NELSON HASTILY REJOINS PARKER.
441
over the shallows, hoist them in again ; and although, in spite of
these precautions, several vessels were unable to avoid grounding.
The Kussian fleet lay at Eeval, still frost-bound ; l the Swedish
squadron was at or near Karlskrona ; and Parker was anxious to
attack the former, ere it could join the latter. On his way to Eeval,
however, he learnt that the Swedes were at sea ; and, sending on
the news to Nelson, who was still detained off Amager in the
St. George, he made for the northern point of Bornholm.
On April 19th, in the evening, Nelson received the news ; but the
wind and current were contrary, and the St. George, though at length
she had crossed the shoals, could have made but little progress
against them. The Vice-Admiral, therefore, scenting a possibility
of battle, instantly embarked in a six-oared cutter, and, without
MEDAL COMMEMOUATIVE OF THE BATTLE OF COPENHAGEN', 1801.
(From an original lent by H.S.H. Cnpt. Prince Louis of Battenberg, R.N.)
waiting even for a boat-cloak, set off to join the Commander-in-
Chief, who was twenty-four miles away. Mr. Alexander Briarly,'2
Master of the Bellona, who had been assisting the St. George in
her passage over the grounds, and who, by order, accompanied
Nelson, has left an interesting account of the long night row, and
of Nelson's extraordinary keenness on the occasion : — •
"All I had ever seen or heard of him could not half so clearly prove to me the
singular and unbounded zeal of this truly great man. His anxiety in the boat for
nearly six hours lest the fleet should have sailed before he got on board one of them,
and lest we should not catch the Swedish squadron, is beyond all conception. I will
quote some expressions in his own words. It was extremely cold, and I wished him
to put on a great-coat of mine which was in the boat. ' No, I am not cold ; my
anxiety for my country will keep me warm. Do you think the fleet has sailed?' ' I
should suppose not, my Lord.' ' If they have, we will follow them to Karlskrona in
the boat, by God ! '"
1 It was not, in fact, free from field-ice that year until April 29th.
2 A Master of 1795.
442 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
Karlskrona was one hundred and fifty miles away. Happily the
fleet had not left Bornholm ; and at midnight Nelson was safely
on board the Elephant. But already the Swedes * had retired to
Karlskrona. Thither Parker followed them ; and, after negotia-
tion, it was agreed, on April 22nd, that the differences between
Great Britain and Sweden should be settled amicably.
The Tsar Paul, of Russia, had been murdered on March 23rd,
and had been succeeded by Alexander I. The British fleet was on
its way from Karlskrona to Eeval, when, on April 23rd, Parker
received from the Russian ambassador at Copenhagen dispatches
indicating that the policy of the new monarch was more pacific
than that of the old had been. The Commander-in-Chief returned,
therefore, to Kjoge Bay, where he found the St. George, and where,
on May 5th, he was apprised of his recall to England.2 When he
sailed for home in the Blanche, the command of the fleet devolved
upon Nelson.
Nelson does not appear to have had such implicit confidence
as Parker in the amiable intentions of Russia. He thought, at
least, that the presence of a British force could do no harm in the
Gulf of Finland; and on the 7th he weighed. On the 8th, he left
Captain George Murray (3) to watch Karlskrona with the Edgar,
Saturn, Russell, Raisonnable, Agamemnon, Glatton, and a frigate,
and sent in word to the Swedish vice-admiral that, though Swedish
trade would not be annoyed, the Swedish squadron, if it put to sea,
would be treated as the fleet of an enemy. With the remaining
eleven sail of the line, a frigate and two sloops, Nelson proceeded
for Reval, off which place he anchored on May 14th, only to find
that the Russians had departed on the 3rd for Cronstadt. The
authorities were alarmed at his arrival, and he was officially informed
that, if his intentions were friendly, he would best demonstrate
the fact by withdrawing. Lest, therefore, he should prejudice the
negotiations which were going on elsewhere, he left the road on
the 17th ; and, two days later, Russia and Sweden removed the
embargo which had been laid on British vessels in their ports.
Friendly relations were thus restored.
Nelson was back at Kjoge Bay on June 6th ; and on June 13th,
' Their neat included only six ships of the line; and it was, therefore, obliged to
retire before Parker's.
2 Nelson had already petitioned for his own recall. The First Lord, St. Vincent,
probably influenced by the wish to keep Nelson away from Lady Hamilton, recalled
I'arker chiefly in order to induce Nelson to remain for a time.
1801.]
NELSON XETUXNS TO ENGLAND.
443
in reply to his repeated requests to be relieved on the score of his
indifferent health, he received permission to return to England.
Four days afterwards Vice-Ad miral Sir Charles Morice Pole,1 in
the Molus, 32, appeared to take over the command ; and on the
19th Nelson left for home in the Kite, 18.
The rewards for the victory of Copenhagen were grudgingly
bestowed. The Admirals, Captains, officers, and men of Parker's
VICE-ADMIRAL VISCOUNT NELSON, DUKK OF BRONTE, K.B.
(From n litftt)vrj}ih by P. Robert*, after the pt>rtraft painted by J. F. Abbot, M'ftcH Nelson HYIH a
Rear-Admiral, soon after the Kittle of the Nile.)
fleet received, indeed, the thanks of both Houses ; Nelson was
given the title of Viscount; and Graves was made a K.B. Some
promotions, also, were made among the officers of subordinate
rank. But the gold Flag-officers' and Captains' medals, which had,
by that time, come to be looked upon as the most honourable pay-
1 Pole remained on the station till the end of July, when, there being no longer
need of a large fleet in the Baltic, he was ordered home. He distinguished himself
during his command by taking the fleet through the difficult passage of the Great Belt
against a nearly head wind.
444 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
rnent for great services, were not granted ; and the City of London
did not formally recognise the value of- the work which had been
done for British commerce. The prize-money, moreover, was of
small account, so many of the prizes having been destroyed, and no
special allowance being made in respect of them.
Nelson's health had suffered in consequence of his exposure in
the St. George s boat ; but he was not allowed a month for its
re-establishment. He landed at Yarmouth on July 1st ; he was
reappointed to a command on July 24th ; and he rehoisted his flag
on July 30th, on a service which, perhaps, was unworthy of his
exceptional powers, and might have been as well performed by an
officer of more ordinary abilities, yet which, nevertheless, demanded
at its head a man in whom the country placed unquestioning con-
fidence. For the people of the United Kingdom, half starved,
and overburdened with the taxes and the trials of the long war,
believed that at length a serious and mighty attempt was about
to be made to invade them, and so to end the exhausting struggle.
Nelson's acceptance, in such circumstances, of the command in
the Downs would, it was felt, put an immediate check upon the
rising panic. That, no doubt, was the main motive for his appoint-
ment. There was, however, another motive. At the Admiralty
were two of his truest friends, St. Vincent and Troubridge. They
knew that, in spite of the changes and chances of life at sea, Nelson's
glorious reputation was safer there than at home.
The conclusion of the Treaty of Luneville, by putting a period
to the active hostility of Germany, gave Bonaparte an opportunity
of turning more of his attention than ever towards Great Britain.
It has been seen that France had long since made extensive prepara-
tions for an invasion. During the year 1800, however, the prepara-
tions had been suspended. Great Britain, indeed, had for some
time ceased to be pressingly anxious on the subject, when, on
July 12th, 1801, the First Consul ordered a concentration at
Boulogne of nine divisions of gun-vessels, of a large mass of troops,
and of several detachments of artillerymen. Bear- Admiral La
Touche Treville,1 one of the best naval officers of France, was
1 Rene Madeleine Le Vassor de La Touche Treville : born 1745 ; entered the navy ;
left it for the cavalry, 1768 ; returned to the navy ; commanded a frigate during the
American war ; imprisoned and degraded as a Royalist, 1793 ; restored as a rear-admiral
by Bonaparte, and given command first at Brest and then at Boulogne ; vice-admiral,
1801 ; died in command of the Toulon fleet, 1804. But for his death, he would have
commanded at Trafalgar.
1801.] NELSON AND THE INVASION FLOTILLA. 445
given the command of the flotilla ; and he at once began to train
his men in embarking and disembarking, in weighing and anchoring,
in working the vessels, and in using the guns.
It was then that, among other measures designed to calm the
public mind, Nelson was appointed to command the defences of
the coast from Orford Ness to Beachy Head. He hoisted his flag
in the Medusa, 32, Captain John Gore (2), at anchor in the Downs ;
and on August 3rd, in consequence of directions from the Admiralty,
crossed to Boulogne to endeavour to destroy the flotilla which was
assembled under the guns of the lately strengthened fortifications
of the place. He had with him thirty craft, chiefly gun-vessels
and bombs. The latter on the 4th shelled part of the French
flotilla, consisting of twenty-four armed vessels, and, according to
an order which was issued by Nelson on the 5th, entirely disabled
ten of them. The British dispatches, however, leave it to be in-
ferred that only three flats and a brig were permanently disabled ;
and the French official account, while it does not expressly state
that no other material harm was done, says that two gunboats
which had been damaged were at once refitted for service, and that
no Frenchman was either killed or wounded. On the British side
three persons were wounded. It was evident — for the bombs had
expended more than nine hundred shells — that, if effective damage
was to be done, other means must be employed. Nelson, there-
fore, determined to try the effect of a cutting-out expedition on a
large scale.
He organised the armed boats of the squadron into four divisions,
commanded respectively by Commander Philip Somerville (1), Com-
mander Edward Thornbrough Parker, Commander Isaac Cotgrave,
and Commander Eichard Jones (1), and, on the night of August 15th,
sent them in accompanied by a division of howitzer boats under
Commander John Conn. The boats, having assembled round the
Medusa, put off from her at about 11.30 P.M. ; but, owing to the
darkness, the tide, and the currents, the divisions soon became
separated, and could not, in consequence, co-operate according to
the pre-arranged plans. The boats of Somerville's division, driven
far to the eastward, had to quit one another and proceed in-
dependently. Just before dawn on the 16th, some of these suc-
ceeded in reaching and attacking a brig which lay close to the
pier-head ; but, though they carried her, they were forced to
abandon her, as she was secured by a chain which they could not
440 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
sever, and was swept by the fire of four craft moored quite close
to her. As daylight broke, Somerville's division retreated, with a
loss of 18 killed and 55 wounded.1
Parker's division, the second, was less impeded by the current,
and, at about 12.30, part of it ran alongside the brig Etna. But
boarding nettings and a heavy fire forced the men back. Another
part carried a lugger, but was repulsed by the brig Volcan ; and the
two sub-divisions retired with a loss of 21 killed and 42 wounded.2
Cotgrave's division, the third, was also driven back after it had
fought most gallantly and had=lost 5 killed and 29 wounded.3 The
fourth division, unable to get near the enemy before day broke,
put back without loss. Commander Edward Thornbrough Parker,
a promising officer of only twenty-two, who had greatly endeared
himself to Nelson, and who had been acting as his aide-de-camp,
died of his wounds at Deal on September 27th.
The French, who had been reinforced since August 4th, claimed
to have run down eight British boats and to have taken four, and
to have lost only 10 killed and 30 wounded.4 Whether they did
so much damage may be doubted ; but it is certain that the affair
must be counted as a British defeat, and, having regard to the
total loss, 44 killed and 126 wounded, as a sanguinary one. Both
Nelson, however, and St. Vincent, handsomely recognised that
officers and men had behaved most gallantly.
No other attack on a large scale was attempted against the
invasion flotilla ; but on the night of August 20th, the boats of
a small squadron detached under Captain Jonas Rose, of the
Jamaica, 24, attacked six French flats, which lay covered by five
field-pieces and a party of infantry between St. Valery and Etaples.
Three were taken and brought off, and the other three were scuttled
by their crews. Each mounted an 8-inch brass howitzer. The
British loss was only 1 killed arid 4 wounded.
Towards the end of 1800 Bonaparte had satisfied himself that
the large British force which, in October, had appeared under
1 Officer killed : Master's Mate Alexander Rutherford (Jamaica). Among the
wounded were Lieuts. Thomas Oliver and Francis Dickinson (Leyden), Jeremiah
Skelton (Jamaica), and William Basset (actg.) (Eugenie), and Captain of Marines,
George Young (Lei/den).
2 Officers killed : Midshipmen William Gore and William Bristow (Medusa).
Among the wounded were Com. E. T. I'arker (mortally) ; and Lieuts. Charles Pelly
and Frederick Langford (Medusa).
3 Officer killed : Midshipman — — Berry
4 Tre'ville to Min. of Mar., Aug. 16th.
1801.]
CRUISE OF GANTEAUME.
447
Lord Keith before Cadiz, was to be despatched to Egypt, and that
strong measures were at length to be adopted to expel the French
from that country. During 1800 he had been unsuccessful in
several attempts, all made on a small scale, to send stores and
reinforcements to his army in the delta of the Nile ; but, as the
situation of the expeditionary force became more and more perilous,
he decided that a serious effort must be made to succour it. At
Toulon he had no squadron equal to the task. The flower of the
French navy was concentrated at Brest. He therefore ordered
Rear-Admiral Ganteaume to leave Brest with the ships set forth
in the note,1 and with 5000 troops under General Sahuguet, and
to endeavour to reach the Levant ; and he announced at the same
time that the reinforcement was intended for San Domingo.
Ganteaume quitted Brest and anchored in Bertheaume road
on January 7th, 1801. At about the same time, in order to
distract and confuse the attention of the officers in charge of the
blockade along the coast, such French vessels as lay in the other
ports of the Channel and the Bay of Biscay either put to sea or
made obtrusive preparations for doing so. On the 8th Ganteaume
weighed and stood out by the Passage du Raz ; but he was at once
observed and chased by Vice-Admiral Sir Henry Harvey (1), K.B.,
and a division of the Channel Fleet ; and he found it prudent, soon
afterwards, to anchor off the mouth of the Vilaine, whence he
presently returned to Brest, where he lay to await a gale which
would drive the British from their station.
On January 23rd it blew heavily from the northward ; and, at
night, Ganteaume again put to sea, going out by the Iroise Channel.
The weather was so bad that no British cruisers were there to
1 Ships. Guns.
I
Commanders.
Indivisible ... 80
fRear-Adm. Honore Ganteaume.
\Capt. A. L. Gourdon.
Indomptable . . . 80
Commod. Moucousu.
Formidable ... 80
jRear-Adm. Comte de Linois.
\Capt. J. Allary.
Desaix . 74
Commod. J. A. C. Christi-Pailliere.
Dix Aout '
74
Capt. J. Bergeret.
Constitution
74
„ G. A. Faure.
Jean Bart
. 74
„ F. J. Meynne.
Creole
: 40
„ P. P. Gourrege.
Bravoure.
j 40
„ L. A. Dordelin, junr.
Vautour, lugger
12
Lieut. Vimel.
Ex Tyrannicide.
448 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
sight him. It was also so bad that, besides depriving two or three
of his ships of their topmasts, it separated the Indivisible and Creole
from their consorts, though not until a rendezvous for the squadron
had been ordered first off Cape Spartel, and next off Cape de Gata.
The remaining ships were sighted at 9 P.M. on January 27th, off
Cape Finisterre, by the Concorde, 36, Captain Eobert Barton. The
Bravoure proceeded in chase of the British frigate, which, when
about six miles from the French squadron, hove to, and awaited
the enemy. The action which resulted was indecisive, but would
probably have been otherwise but for the proximity of the French
ships to windward. The Concorde lost 4 killed and 19 (one mortally)
wounded, and the Bravoure, 10 killed and 24 wounded. The latter
rejoined her friends, and, proceeding with them, found Ganteaume,
off Cape Spartel, on January 30th. Ganteaume, on the previous
day, had taken and scuttled the fireship Incendiary, 16, Commander
Kichard Calling Dunn. The French passed through the Strait of
Gibraltar under a press of sail on February 9th. Keith, as will be
shown later, had already departed thence for the eastward, and the
only vessel in port ready for sea was the Success, 32, Captain
Shuldham Peard. Peard weighed very promptly, and made after
the enemy, confident that he was bound for Egypt, and hoping
to pass him, and to warn Keith. On the 10th Ganteaume took
and scuttled the cutter Sprightly, 12, Lieutenant Eobert Jump.
During the following night the Success passed the French ; but in
the morning she was in full sight of them ; nor could she, owing
to the light and variable winds, get away from them on the llth
and 12th. On the night of the 12th, a fresh southerly breeze
seemed to promise attainment to Peard's wishes ; yet, on the
morning of the 13th, the enemy was so close that escape from
him was clearly impossible. The Success, therefore, to delay
her pursuers, put bacK to the westward ; and at 3 P.M., after some
of the two-deckers had opened fire upon her, she struck her flag.1
His prisoners informed Ganteaume that Keith was already on
the coast of Egypt,- and that a squadron under Sir John Borlase
Warren 3 was probably close at his heels. This news induced him
to make for Toulon, where he anchored on February 19th, and
where the first part of his adventurous cruise ended.
1 She was retaken by the Pomone and consorts on Sept. 2nd following.
2 This, as will be seen, was incorrect. Keith was still on the coast of Asia Minor.
3 Which had been stationed off Cadiz.
1801.] SQUADRONS IN SEARCH OF GANTEAUME.
In the meantime, the Concorde, 36, Captain Eobert Barton, had
made the best of her way to England with the intelligence of
Ganteaume's escape, and had reached Plymouth on February 3rd.
The view there and at the Admiralty was that the French were
bound to the West Indies ; and to the West Indies, in con-
sequence, Eear-Admiral Sir Eobert Calder was detached from the
Channel Fleet in pursuit, with the Prince of Wales, 98 (flag),
Juste, 80, Pompee, 80, Courageux, 74, Cumberland, 74, Montagu,1 74,
Spencer, 74, Magicienne, 32, Thames, 32, and a brig. It was scarcely
a force suited for the occasion ; for the flagship was notoriously slow.
" Nothing," says James, " can afford a stronger proof of the national confidence, as
well as fairness, in naval warfare, than the sending in pursuit of an enemy's squadron
a British squadron of the same numerical force ; but we cannot help asking, what was
the use of selecting six of the fastest two-deckers from the Channel Fleet, when the
tiag-officer in command of them was to take his passage in a three-decker ? "
But, since Calder was sent in chase of a phantom, he had the more
comfortable cruise out and home again.
If, instead of making for Toulon, Ganteaume had waited for
Warren, the French might have won a victory ; for Warren was
of inferior force. He was cruising off Cadiz on February 8th,
when he learnt that Ganteaume was in the neighbourhood ; and
he at once headed for Gibraltar with his whole division, which
consisted of the Renown, 74 (flag), Captain John Chambers White;
Gibraltar, 80, Captain William Hancock Kelly ; Dragon, 74, Cap-
tain John Aylmer (1) ; Genereux, 74, Captain Manley Dixon ;
Hector, 74, Captain John Elphinstone (2) ; Haarlem, 64 (but with
only part of her lower battery on board), Captain George Burl ton ;
Mercury, 28, Captain Thomas Eogers ; Champion, 20, Captain Lord
William Stuart; and Salamine, 18, Commander Thomas Briggs.
Beaching the Eock early on the 10th, he heard that the French
were ahead of him. He was not able to leave Gibraltar till the
13th, when he steered for Minorca, having detached frigates tc-
reconnoitre Cartagena and Toulon. From the 20th to the 24th
he lay' refitting at Port Mahon ; from the 24th to the 27th he
cruised in the vicinity ; and on the 27th, having suffered in a
gale of wind, he put back. On March 4th, he sailed again, leaving
at Mahon the Genereux and Salamine, as some protection against a
Franco-Spanish attack. On the 7th, he learnt that King Ferdinand
1 Put into Lisbon disabled.
VOL. IV. 2 G
450 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
of Naples had concluded an armistice with General Murat ; and ,
in order to look to British interests in Sicily, he laid his course for
Palermo ; but, having been joined, on the 18th, by the Athenien, 64,
Captain Sir Thomas Livingstone, and on the 22nd, by the
Alexander, 74, Captain Alexander John Ball, both from Malta,
he stood back in the direction of Toulon. On the 25th, however,
the Salamine, detached by Captain Manley Dixon, brought news
to the Bear-Admiral that Ganteaume,1 with seven sail of the line,
three frigates, and three merchantmen, had again left Toulon on
March 15th, making apparently for Egypt. The French, as after-
wards appeared, experienced a heavy gale on the night of their
departure from port, and had to send back one of their line-of-
battle ships. They also lost company with one of their merchant-
men, which was afterwards taken by the Minerve, 42, Captain
George Cockburn. At daybreak on the 25th, they were sighted
by Warren's squadron off the eastern coast of Sardinia, and were
chased ; but the bad sailing of the Gibraltar and A thenien delayed
the pursuit, and caused the British to lose sight of the enemy ; and,
while Sir John hurried off to the south-east, Ganteaume once more
made for Toulon, where he anchored on April 5th.
Bonaparte was not satisfied that the rear-admiral had done all
that was possible to reach Egypt, and ordered him to make yet
another attempt. Ganteaume accordingly sailed once more on
April 27th, having, in addition to his original squadron, another
frigate, the Muiron, 40, a corvette, and two storeships. He had
directions to take measures, while on his way, for the reduction
of Porto Eerrajo, in Elba. In pursuance of that part of his mission,
he put into Leghorn, whence he ultimately sent back to Toulon
the Formidable, Indomptable, Desaix, and Muiron, which he con-
sidered to be too short-handed to proceed on the voyage. Before
following Ganteaume, it will be well to relate what happened in Elba.
Porto Ferrajo was invested from the first week in May by about
1500 French troops who had been carried across from Piombino
on the 2nd of the month ; and it was subsequently blockaded by
the French frigates Carrere, 40, Bravoure, 40, and Succes (late
British Siiccess), 32. The garrison, chiefly Tuscan, but assisted
1 His orders were, in case he should find the coast of Egypt blockaded by superior
forces, to land his troops anywhere between Tripoli and Cape "Razat" (Qy. Eas el
Mella), that they might reach their destination by way of the desert. The carrying
out of this plan "would have condemned five thousand Frenchmen to death by
famine." — Mathieu Dumas, vii.
1801.] CAPTURE OF THE "SUCCJSS." 451
by a small British contingent,1 held the place with determination,
in spite of the fact that, late in July, General Watrin brought
over 5000 additional troops from the mainland, and assumed com-
mand of the siege. On August 1st, two of the French frigates
were chased from off the island,2 and the blockade was raised
by the squadron of Sir John Borlase Warren ; and on the 3rd, the
Phoenix, 36, Captain Lawrence William Halsted, Pomone, 40,
Captain Edward Leveson Gower, and Pearl, 32, Captain Samuel
James Ballard, while cruising on the west side of Elba, fell in
with the remaining frigate, the Carrere, which was on her passage
from Porto Ercole to Porto Longone with three hundred barrels
of powder; and the Pomone, after an action of ten minutes, took
her. The Ponwne's loss was only two killed and four wounded.
The Carrere is said to have lost much more heavily. Unfortunately,
the whole of a small convoy which she had with her escaped.
At the end of the month, learning that the Phoenix was at
anchor alone off Piombino, General Watrin sent orders to the
Succes and Bmvoure to endeavour to capture her. Those frigates
put to sea on August 31st, but, early on September 2nd, as they
were nearing the Phoenix, which, in the meantime, had been rejoined
by the Pomone, they were chased by the Minerve, 42, Captain George
•Cockburn. Cockburn made the signal for an enemy to Halsted
and Gower, who at once weighed, and bore up in chase under all
.sail. At 10.30 A.M., perceiving that she was dropping astern, the
Succes, Captain J. F. I. Bretel, ran herself ashore, and, being fired
at in passing by the Minerve, struck without returning a shot. The
Pomone took possession of her, while the Minerve stood on after the
Bravoure, which finally, baffled by a shift of wind, missed stays and
.grounded under a battery about four miles south of Leghorn. There
her masts presently went by the board and she became a total loss.
Lieutenant William Kelly (2),3 of the Minerve, boarded her, but was
•able to bring away only very few prisoners. Lieutenant Charles
Thompson (2), of the Phoenix, succeeded in floating the Succes, and
•she was restored to the Eoyal Navy. These affairs cost no loss of
British life.
In September, the little garrison of Porto Ferrajo was tem-
1 Commanded at one time by Capt. Gordon, and later by Lieut.-Col. George
-j\ irey.
2 The Bravoure and Sncces took refuge in Leghorn.
3 Gazette, 1801, 1355.
2 G 2
452 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
porarily reinforced by a detachment of seamen and Marines from
the squadron l of Sir John Borlase Warren, who reappeared off the
port on the 12th. Before dawn on the 14th, after the Dragon and
Genereux had on the previous day made a diversion, these seamen
and Marines, 689 in number, disembarked under Commander George
Long, of the Vincejo, and, with about 1000 Tuscans, the whole
under the direction of Captain John Chambers White, of the
Eenoivn, carried and destroyed several French batteries, and took a
number of prisoners, but were at last compelled to retire with a loss
of 32 killed, 61 wounded, and 105 missing. The naval casualties
alone amounted to 15 killed, 38 wounded, and 77 missing ; and
among the killed was Commander Long. In spite of this partial
success, and although Warren had to quit the island with his
squadron on September 22nd, General Watrin failed to reduce the
place ; and Lieut.-Colonel Airey contrived to hold it, until its fate
was determined by Art. XI. of the Treaty of Amiens.
Ganteaume left Leghorn in the middle of May with the In-
divisible, 80, Dix Aout, 74, Constitution, 74, Jean Bart, 74, Creole, 40,
Heliopolis (corvette), and four storeships, and passed the Strait of
Messina on the 25th. Having waited for a time off Brindisi, where
he expected to be joined by some Neapolitan frigates, he proceeded
for Egypt, and, on June 5th, chased, but failed to get up with, the
Pique, 36, Captain James Young (2). On the 7th, when he was
about two hundred miles westward of Alexandria, he detached the
Heliopolis to ascertain the whereabouts of the blockading fleet ; and
on the 9th, the corvette, after having been chased by the Kent, 74,
Hector, 74, and Cruelle, cutter, had to take refuge in Alexandria,
instead of rejoining. Keith had been opportunely warned, on the
evening of the 7th, by the Pique, of the approach of the French, and
had made sail to the westward in search of them.
As the Heliopolis did not return to him, Ganteaume concluded
that she had been captured, and that, a hostile fleet being off
Alexandria, he would not be able to land his troops in that neigh-
bourhood. He therefore made up his mind to attempt a disembarka-
tion at Bengasi, a small town on the coast of Barca. But scarcely
had he anchored off the place ere some British ships were sighted
to the eastward ; and, as the inhabitants were hostile, he relinquished
his design, cut his cables, and made all sail to escape, abandoning,
1 Renown, Gibraltar, Dragon, Alexander, Genereux, Stately, Pomone, Pearl, and
Vincejo.
1801.] UANTEAUUE TAKES THE " SWIFTSUKE." 453
however, two of his storeships, which were taken by the Vestal, 28
(en flute}, Commander Valentine Collard, and consorts.
Ganteaume fled to the westward, and at 3.30 A.M. on June 24th,
being off the coast of Barbary, and the wind being N.W.,he was sighted
by the Swiftsure, 74, Captain Benjamin Hallowell, which was on her
way to join Sir John Borlase Warren off Malta.1 Hallowell, having
heard that Ganteaume was on the const, felt sure that the strangers
were enemies, and did his best to get away from them ; but the French
outsailed him,2 and by 2 P.M. the Indivisible, Dix Aout, and Creole
were almost within gunshot. Noticing that the other ships, though
fast coming up, were separated from their consorts, Hallowell
decided to bear down upon the three nearest, try to disable them
before the rest could interfere, and then endeavour to escape to
leeward. At 3 P.M., therefore, he bore down under all sail, and, the
French tacking and standing towards him, the Indivisible and Dix
Aout opened their fire at about 3.30. So superior were the sailing
and handiness of the enemy's ships, that the Swiftsure was foiled in
all her efforts to get to leeward of them. She fought them, never-
theless, until 4.37 P.M., when, the Jean Bart and Constitution having
also arrived within gunshot, and continued resistance signifying
merely useless expenditure of life, she surrendered.3 The chief aim
of her opponents had been to disable her aloft. Although, therefore,
her masts, yards, and rigging had suffered severely, she had lost only
two killed, and eight (two mortally) wounded. The French, on the
other hand, lost, according to Ganteaume's return, in killed and
wounded thirty-nine. On July 22nd the captors, without further
adventure, carried their prize into Toulon.4 Hallowell was tried on
board the Genereux at Port Mahon for having quitted his convoy and
lost his ship ; and he and his officers and men were, of course,
honourably acquitted, it being decided that in leaving the convoy
he had acted with judgment and zeal, and that he had defended the
Swiftsure with equal gallantry and ability.5
Ganteaume certainly displayed, during these three sorties from
port, a certain kind of cleverness in evading his numerous foes. His
1 She had been despatched from Aboukir to Malta with a convoy, but, learning of
Ganteaume's proximity, had left the convoy, and hurried on to join Warren, who,
Hallowell feared, might be surprised.
2 The Stfiftsure at the time was both foul and leaky. — Marshall, i. 479.
3 She was retaken at Trafalgar.
4 In this cruise Ganteaume had with him Jerome Bonaparte, the youngest brother
of the First Consul.
5 C.M., Aug. 18th, 1801.
454
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1801.
lack of boldness, and his anxiety to hide himself rather than fight
have, however, excited the unfavourable comments even of French
historians. It should be remembered on his behalf that the tactics
which he employed were only half his. For example, Bonaparte, not
Ganteaume, was responsible for the mad idea of disembarking the
expeditionary troops at or near Bengasi, and for risking there a
repetition of the disaster of Aboukir Bay. Ganteaume was respon-
sible for cutting his cables when Keith's scouts appeared, and for
thus saving his ships from capture or destruction. His caution was,
after all, less dangerous to his country than the rash and infatuated
naval strategy of his master.
The proceedings of Lord Keith and General Sir Ealph Abercromby
have now to be followed. It has been seen that, after the appearance
of those officers off Cadiz in October, 1800, they returned to Gibraltar.1
Keith, bound at length for Egypt, had quitted Gibraltar again
several weeks before Ganteaume entered the Mediterranean. After
calling first at Minorca and then at Malta, he reached Memorije
Bay, on the coast of Asia Minor, on January 31st, 1801. His fleet,
to which was attached a Turkish contingent, was a very large one,
including, as it did, the vessels mentioned hereunder,2 besides
1 See p 425.
! Ships.
Guns.
Commander-.
Ships.
Commanders.
(Adni. Lord Keith, K.B. (B)
Foudroyant . 80
Ciipt. Philip Beaver, 1st.
Com. William Young (actg.),
SHIPS AifMKi> et
\
2nd.
(Rear-Adm. Sir Richard Hus-
flute.
Swiftsure . . 74
^ sey Bickerton, Bt. (W).
ICapt. Benjamin Hallowcll.
JHadem
Dictator
64 Capt. John Larmour.
64 ., John Okes Hardy.
Ajax ... 80
f „ Hon. Alexander Inglis
\ Cochrane.
Stately . .
Tt~usty .
64 „ George Scott (I).
^0 ,, Alexander Wilson.
Tiare ... 80
fCapt. Sir William Sidney.
I Smith.
JSuropa.
Experiment
' 50 „ James Stevenson (1).
44 Com. John Griffin Saville.
*T 1
/Capt. William Johnstone
Expedition
44 „ Thomas Wilson (1).
hi it! . . . 74
t Hope-
Charon .
44 ,, Richard Bridges.
Minotaur . . 74
Capt. Thomas Louis.
liolphin
44 „ James Dalrymple.
JVortftumbfi?1
Zand . -
} U
,, George Martiu ^2).
fief/ulus
Renommee .
44 „ Thomas l*resslaud.
44 „ Peter M'Kellar.
Flora . .
38
f , , Robert Gambier M idd 1 e-
l ton.
Thetis . .
f ,, Henry Edward llegi-
38 t nald Baker.
Bonne Citoyem
e 20
Com. Robert Jackson. Hebe
i 38 ' Com. George Reynolds.
Cameleon .
18
„ Edward O'Bryeu (2). Inconstant
36 „ John Ayscough.
Cynthia .
18
,, John Dick. Romulus .
36 ,. John Culverhouse.
Minorca
16
,, George Miller. Druid . .
32 ,, Charles Apthorp.
Port Mahon
18
„ William Buchanan. Blonde .
32 M John Burn (1).
Petrel . .
16
,, Charles Inglis (2). tfigcr . .
32 ,, James Hillyar.
Victorieuse
1'2
Ijihigenia ,
32 . Hassard Stackpoole.
Malta, sen.
Astrwa .
32 , Peter Ribouleau.
Cruelle, cut.
Lieut. David M*GIe. jsurus . .
32 , Daniel Oliver Onion.
Mondavi
16
Com. John Stewart. Heroine
32 , John Hill (2).
Entreprenante
cut. .
} U
Lieut. William Swiney (2).
Dido . .
Alliffator .
28 , David Colby.
28 , George Bowen (3).
r<irfarws,bomb 8
Com. Thomas Hand.
Cyclops.
28 , John Fyfle.
Fury, bomb . 16
„ Richard Curry.
Resource .
28 , John Crispo,
Danger 'ewse.g.v.
Thisbe . .
28 , John Morrison.
Janissary, g.v.
Vestal . .
28 , Valentine Collard.
Ae.pTe«*e, g.v. . |
NOTE.— In June Sir R. H. Bickerton shifted his flag to the Kent. Captain John Elphinstone (2) succeeded
Captain Beaver as Captain of the Fleet, and Captain John Clarke Searle be:ame Lord Keith's flag-captain.
1801.] KEITH'S EXPEDITION TO EGYPT. 455
numerous small craft. On board were 16,150 troops, under General
Sir Ralph Abercromby, K.B., and Major-Generals Sir John Hely
Hutchinson, Eyre Coote, Cradock, Hon. G. J. Ludlow, John Moore,
and the Earl of Cavan.
While this force was moving eastward, Bonaparte, in addition to
the squadron under Ganteaume, sent from France several frigates
and other craft with men, stores, and dispatches for his army in
Egypt. Many of these were successful in entering Alexandria.
The Egyptienne, 48, and Justice, 46, got in from Toulon on February
23rd ; the Eegeneree, 32, from Eochefort, found her way past Keith's
fleet on March 1st ; and, on the same day or in the course of the-
following night, the brig Lodi,1 from Toulon, also ran the blockade.
But other ships were less fortunate, and the supplies brought by the
vessels above named were, of course, too small in quantity to afford
much relief to the necessities of General Menou and his army, which
amounted to upwards of 23,000 men.
Delayed by the non-arrival of part of the Turkish contingent and
by bad weather, Keith did not leave Memorije until February 22nd,
and did not sight Alexandria until March 1st. Even then, his whole
force was not with him, for some of the Turkish vessels had been
driven by a moderate gale to take refuge in the ports of Cyprus
and elsewhere. On the 2nd the fleet anchored in Aboukir Bay.
Northerly winds and a heavy swell prevented a disembarkation
until the 8th ; but at 2 A.M. on that day the boats began to fill with
troops, and at 9 A.M. the landing was begun under the direction of
Captains the Hon. A. I. Cochrane, George Scott (1), John Larmour,
and James Stevenson (1), and Commanders Charles Apthorp and
John Morrison, and under the protection of the Tartarus, Fury,
Petrel, Cameleon, Minorca, Cruelle, Dangerett.se, Janissary, Entre-
prenante, Malta, Negresse, and two armed launches. Sir William
Sidney Smith, with Commanders Peter Eibouleau, John Griffin
Saville, Daniel Oliver Guion, James Hillyar and John Burn (1),
had charge of a battalion of 1000 seamen who were put ashore to
co-operate with the army. The whole force disembarked on the
morning of that day amounted to 7000 men. The landing was
vigorously opposed by about 2500 French under General Louis
Friant, and by the guns in the castle of Aboukir ; but the beach was
quickly reached and seized ; the enemy was driven back ; and before
nightfall on the 9th, the entire British army was on shore. In these
1 The Lodi escaped from Alexandria in May, and reached Nice on June 28th.
456 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
preliminary operations the naval brigade lost 22 killed, 70 wounded,
and three missing. Among the wounded were Lieutenants Josias
Bray, George Thomas (1), and Francis Collins (1).'
The army advanced on March 12th, by which time the French in
front numbered about 7000 men. On the 13th the latter attacked,
but were driven back with an admitted loss of 750 killed and
wounded. The gunboats of the fleet, manoeuvring in Lake Aboukir
under Commanders Frederick Lewis Maitland (2) and James Hillyar,
and the Marines, under Lieut. -Colonel Walter Smith, as well as the
seamen, rendered most valuable service in the action, at the close
of which the British occupied a position about three miles from
Alexandria, between the canal of Alexandria and Lake Mareotis.
This engagement cost the Navy and Marines 33 killed and 54
wounded ; but the total loss on the side of the victors was not less
than 186 killed, 1135 wounded, and one missing.
On the 18th the castle of Aboukir surrendered; an indecisive
cavalry skirmish occurred ; and a Turkish squadron arrived. On the
same day, also, it would appear, a French vessel managed to slip out
of Alexandria harbour with dispatches for France ; and, in the evening,
the French at Alexandria were cheered by the arrival from Cairo of
General Menou with troops which, according to the Moniteur,
brought up the strength of the garrison to upwards of 14,000 men.2
On March 21st, before daybreak, the French made a general
attack, and, after a bloody contest, were defeated with a loss of at
least 1500 men, and probably many more.3 The British army also
suffered very heavily, having 234 killed, 1190 wounded, and 34
missing. The military commander-in-chief, the gallant Sir Ralph
Abercromby, received a musket-ball in the upper part of the thigh ;
and, being, at his own desire, removed to the Foudroyant, he lingered
until March 28th, when he died, as much regretted by the Navy as
by his own service. The Marines were not present at the action,
which is known by the French as that of Canopus ; but the naval
brigade under Sir William Sidney Smith, who was himself slightly
hurt, lost 4 killed and 50 wounded.
1 The army on the same occasion lost 102 killed, 515 wounded, and 35 missing ;
and the French admitted a loss of 400 killed and wounded.
2 The number was almost certainly exaggerated. It was in reality, it would seem,
about 11,500. The British may have had 16,000 men on shore, but probably not more
than 10,000 effectives at the front.
3 The French loss is, in fact, set down, even by some French authorities, at
about 3000.
1301.] THE FRENCH EXPELLED FROM EGYPT. 457
In the subsequent military operations along the banks of the Nile,
the British and Turkish gunboats, under Captain James Stevenson (1) ,
and Commanders John Morrison, James Hillyar and Eichard Curry,
rendered most useful co-operation, until the capitulation of General
Belliard's division of the French army at Cairo on June 27th. The
Navy also contributed to the expulsion of the French from Egypt by
landing on the coast of the Eed Sea two detachments of troops,
which, marching into the interior, ultimately joined hands with the
force on the Nile. One l of these detachments, both of which had
been sent from India, was disembarked on May 14th from a small
squadron under Rear-Admiral John Blankett, whose flag was in the
Leopard, 50, Captain Thomas Surridge, and, proceeding across the
desert from Suez, which had been occupied on April 22nd, reached
the neighbourhood of Cairo on June llth or 12th. The other
detachment 2 was put on shore at Kosseir from a division of the same
squadron under Captain Sir Home Biggs Popham, of the Romney,
50, and started across the desert in the middle of June, but did not
reach Cairo until after the place had surrendered.
After the prisoners taken at Cairo and elsewhere had, in accord-
ance with the terms of the capitulation, been despatched in cartels
from France, the attention of the British Navy and army was
concentrated upon the reduction of Alexandria, the last stronghold
of the French in Egypt. On the night of August 16th about 5000
troops under Major-General Eyre Coote were embarked on Lake
Mareotis, and escorted by a flotilla of gunboats under the orders of
Captain James Stevenson (1) to a position westward of the town, while
another flotilla, under Captain Sir W. S. Smith, made a diversion
against the sea-front of Alexandria. Owing to these movements the
French set fire to and blew up nearly all their own gunboats, which
they saw no prospect of saving. On the night of the 18th a
combined naval and military attack3 was made on Marabou Island,
which capitulated on the 21st; and that same evening Captain
the Hon. A. I. Cochrane, with the Cynthia, Bonne Citoyenne, Port
Mahon, Victorieuse, and three Turkish corvettes, entered the great
harbour, the eastern end of which the French thereupon essayed to
block by sinking merchant vessels across it. Thus pressed on all
sides, General Menou, on August 27th, requested a three days'
1 Part of the 86th Regiment under Lieut.-Col. Lloyd.
2 Under Major-General Baird.
3 Upon this occasion the Navy lost two killed and two wounded.
458 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
armistice, and, on September 2nd, surrendered, it being agreed that
the garrison, of about 8000 troops and 1300 seamen, should, like that
of Cairo, be conveyed to France at the expense of Great Britain.
In the old harbour were found, and taken, the Causse, 64,
Justice, 48, and an ex- Venetian 26-gun frigate, which were handed over
as prizes to the Turks, and the Egyptienne, 48, Regeneree, 32, and a
second Venetian 26-gun frigate, which were retained by the British.
The Egyptienne and the Regeneree were added to the Navy, the latter
being renamed Alexandria.1
For the services of the Navy in Egypt Lord Keith received
promotion from the peerage of Ireland to that of Great Britain ; and
Sir John Hely Hutchinson, for his exertions, was given a K.B. Both
Commanders-in-Chief were also voted the thanks of Parliament.
Navy and army had alike behaved magnificently during the campaign;
but it is sad to reflect that although the business involved a loss, in
killed, wounded, and missing, of upwards of 2200 British officers
and men, and was otherwise exceedingly expensive, it secured, in
September, 1801, no better results than might have been secured,
without the bloodshed or the cost, in February, 1800, if only Keith
had considered himself justified in ratifying the convention of
El Arich.
Portugal had been loyal to her ancient ally, Great Britain, since
the beginning of the war ; and she would, no doubt, have remained
as loyal as ever, had not Spain, after the Treaty of Luneville, been
induced by France to declare war against her, and had she not lost
the province of Alemtejo. Her disasters obliged her, by the terms
of the Treaty of Badajos, signed on June 6th, 1801, to consent to
expel the British from her ports. France had assisted Spain in this
attack on Portugal, and had, perhaps as some compensation, received
from her six Spanish sail of the line, which, at the time, lay in
Cadiz. These, officered and manned by Frenchmen, were, it was at
first arranged, to be employed, in conjunction with some French and
some Spanish vessels, for a descent upon Lisbon ; but, after the
submission of Portugal, it was decided to utilise, for the purpose of
carrying reinforcements to Egypt, the squadron which was to have
been sent to the Tagus. As a preliminary measure, the ships which,
as has been seen, had been left by Ganteaume at Leghorn in April,
1 The Egyptienne had been laid down as a 74, but was altered, and launched in
1799 as a frigate of 1430 tons. She was re-armed by the British as a 24-pr. 48-gun
frigate. The Regeneree became a 12-pr. 36-gun frigate ; she was a very fine sailer
of 902 tons.
1801.]
CRUISE OF LINOIS.
459
and had later returned to Toulon, were instructed to proceed to
Cadiz under Eear-Admiral Linois, and to there pick up the six newly
acquired French ships, under Eear-Admiral Dumanoir Le Pelley,
as well as six Spanish ships under Vice-Admiral Don Juan J. de
Moreno.
Linois sailed from Toulon on June 13th, with the :—
Ships.
Guna.
Commanders.
Formidable .
80
!(Rear-Adm. Linois.
, \Capt. Laindet Laloude.
Indomptable .
80
„ Moncousu.
Desaix ....
74
„ Christi-Pailliere.
Muiron ....
40
„ Martinencq.
having on board 1560 soldiers under Brigadier-General Devaux.
Proceeding westward, he drove from off Marseilles one or two
British frigates which had been left cruising there by Sir John
Borlase Warren,1 and allowed a convoy from that port to enter
Toulon. Then he steered south, but, owing to contrary winds, did
not sight Gibraltar until July 1st. The only British vessel at the
Rock was the Calpe, 14, Commander the Hon. George Heneage
Lawrence Dundas. She could not venture out in face of such
a force ; but Captain Dundas sent Lieut. Eichard Gaire Janvrin,
in a small boat, to apprise Eear-Admiral Sir James Saumarez, who
was observing Cadiz, of the appearance of the French squadron
bound west ; and Lieut. Janvrin safely reached Sir James in the
early morning of July 5th.
In the meantime, Linois, working up against a strong W.N.W.
wind, had, while still in the strait, captured, on the 2nd, a British
brig which was employed on packet duty to Minorca, and, on
the 3rd, the Speedy, 14, Commander Lord Cochrane.2 He then
learnt that Saumarez, with a superior force, was off Cadiz, and,
temporarily abandoning the idea of making his port, he bore up
for Algeciras. At 10 A.M. on the 4th, he rounded Cabareta Point ;
and at 5 P.M., in full view of Gibraltar, he anchored.
1 Warren was then at Malta, about to go in pursuit of Ganteaume.
2 Cochrane's behaviour was so admirable that when he presented his sword to
Capt. Pailliere of the Desaix, that officer returned it with a request that he would
continue to wear what he had so nobly used. Cochrane remained in the French
squadron until after the battle of Algeciras.
460
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1801.
Saumarez had with him off Cadiz six ships of the line only,
a seventh, the Superb, 74, Captain Richard Goodwin Keats, being
at the time to the northward, watching the mouth of the Guadal-
quivir. As soon as he had seen Lieut. Janvrin, the Bear-Admiral
tacked off shore ; and presently, learning by means of another
dispatch from Commander Dundas that the French had put into
Algeciras, he ordered off the Thames, 32, Captain Aiskew Paffard
Hollis to recall the Superb and direct her to follow the squadron,
which then (excluding the brig Pasley, Lieut. William Wooldridge,
in company with the Superb) consisted of : —
Ships.
Guns.
Commanders.
Ccesar ....
80
/Kear-Adm. Sir James Saumarez (B).
\Capt. Jahleel Brenton.
Pompee ....
74
„ Charles Stirling (1).
Spencer ....
74
„ Henry d'Egterre Darby.
Venerable.
74
„ Samuel Hood (2).
Hannibal.
74
„ Solomon Ferris.
Audacious
74
„ Shuldham Peard.
At 8 A.M. the Ccesar signalled to prepare for battle, and to be
ready to anchor by the stern, and bore away for the strait with
a good breeze from N.W., although the Superb and Pasley, which
were just visible in the N.W., were at that time becalmed. The
breeze soon also failed the main body, which, however, was carried
to the eastward by the current, and was soon out of sight not only
of the Superb and Pasley but also of the Thames. These three
vessels, having been subsequently informed by an American ship
that Linois had left Algeciras with but three sail of the line,
concluded that they would not regain Saumarez in time to be of use,
and that in any case their services would be superfluous. They
therefore returned to their station off Cadiz. Light airs from the
W.N.W. and more calms succeeded one another until about 3 A.M.
on July 6th, when, there being again some breeze, the rest of the
squadron, which had been joined by the Plymouth, 10, lugger,
from Gibraltar, crowded sail. Saumarez had already issued a
memorandum prescribing the course to be pursued by his command.
" If the Hear- Admiral," he directed, " finds the enemy's ships in a situation to be
attacked, the following is to be the order in which it is to be executed : —
Venerable To lead into the bay, and pass the enemy's ships without coming to
anchor.
1801.]
ACTION OFF ALGECIBAS.
461
Pnmpee To anchor abreast of the iuner ship.
Audacious
Ccesar
Spencer
To anchor abreast of the enemy's ships and batteries.
Hannibal
"The boats of the different ships to be lowered down and armed in readiness to act
where required."
The Venerable had been chosen to lead because of the local
knowledge of her Captain. At 7 A.M. she opened Cabareta Point,
ACTION OFF AI_CE.CIRAS
n
Torre del^4bnirc*Tta
^PS • v
'""£^""~\ ''. V\ -^fDD
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J ^^Hannilxzl
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a r
and reported that she saw the French, who were then occupied
in warping towards the batteries. The Ccesar at once signalled
to engage the enemy in succession upon arriving up with him.
Linois moored his ships in from nine to twelve fathoms, and with
intervals of about five hundred yards, in the positions shown in the
plan. The southern end of his line was covered by a battery of
seven long 18 and 24-prs. on Isla Verde : its northern end, by
five long 18-prs. in the battery of Santiago. There were also guns
on shore in Fort Santa Garcia, about a mile and a half south of
the anchorage, and in the towers of La Villa Vieja and Almirante.
Further protection was afforded by the presence in the shallow
402 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
of fourteen heavy Spanish gunboats, of which three lay S.W. of
Isla Verde, four off Santiago, and seven to the northward of
Almirante. But the French had not warped as far in as they
desired when the British attacked.
The partial and failing nature of the breeze prevented the ships
from getting into action in the order which had been assigned
to them. The Pompee, having been distantly fired at while
rounding Cabareta Point at 7.50 A.M., passed close to Santa Garcia
and Isla Verde, and, receiving in succession the broadsides of the
Muiron, Indomptable, Desaix, and Formidable, to the two latter
of which she replied, dropped her anchor at 8.45 A.M. near the
Formidable' s starboard bow, — so near, indeed, that she brought up
inside the French ship's anchor-buoy. About five minutes later,
the Audacious, baffled by the wind, anchored abreast of, but not
.so close to, the Indomptable ; and at 8.55 A.M., the Venerable,
similarly hindered, anchored still further from the Desaix and from
the starboard quarter of the Formidable. As soon as these ships
had clewed up their sails, they began a furious action, in the course
of which the Formidable, if not the other French ships also,
continued to warp slowly shorewards. This withdrawal of the
Formidable proved to be a fortunate thing for the Pompee ; for at
about 9.15 that ship was so swung by the current that her head
lay towards the French flagship's broadside ; and, had the two
vessels then been as close to one another as they were when the
Pompee anchored, the latter might have been raked with frightful
results. It was at that time that the Ccesar, having anchored ahead
of the Audacious, sprang her port broadside upon the Desaix.
At 9.20, the Hannibal also got up, and anchored on the Ccesar's
starboard bow ; but the Spencer, having fallen too far to leeward,
and being, in addition, as much baffled as her consorts, failed to
approach near enough to exert much effect upon the French ships,
though she was still near enough to suffer from the fire of the
Spanish batteries.
Until after 10 A.M. the cannonade on both sides was extremely
heavy, and very little intermittent, although at one time the
Formidable had been for a short space nearly silent, and although,
owing to the manner in which she had swung, the Pompee was able
to use only her foremost guns. It was, probably, with a view
to relieving the Pompee that Saumarez, at about 10.12 A.M., ordered
the Hannibal to "go and rake the French admiral."
1801.] ACTION OFF ALOECIBAS. 463
Captain Ferris instantly cut his cable and made sail to the
northward with such light wind as there was. When he dared
proceed no further for fear of the shoals, he tacked so as to place
himself between the Formidable and the shore ; but at 11 P.M.,
when she was nearly abreast of the Almirante Tower, the Hannibal
grounded. Some of her foremost larboard guns bore upon the
French flagship, some of her starboard foremost ones upon the
Almirante Tower and the battery of Santiago, and yet others upon
the Spanish gunboats ; and she opened as brisk a fire as possible
upon every enemy whom she could reach, while she tried by every
•conceivable means to get herself off. As soon as she had made
known her unfortunate situation, boats were sent to her by the
Ccesar and the Venerable. The Ccesar's boat was sunk alongside by
a round shot ; and, as the men were of no use to him, Captain
Ferris sent them all back.
Apprehensive lest other British ships might endeavour, with
better success, to get between his line and the shore, and en-
couraged by the fact that, soon after the Hannibal had grounded,
a light and puffy breeze sprang up from the north-east,1 Linois, at
about 11.15 A.M., signalled to his vessels to cut their cables and to
allow themselves to run ashore. He was obeyed, but, owing to the
nature of the wind, his ships were long getting round. In the mean-
time Linois seems to have repented of his decision so far as his own
ship was concerned, for, instead of running ashore, the Formidable
brought up again, when she had but a few inches of water under
her bottom. The Desaix and Indomptable, however, grounded, the
one in front of Algeciras, and the other north-east of Isla Verde.
The movements of the French left the British ships at too
great a distance to use their guns with full effect. Saumarez,
therefore, ordered the cables to be cut, and set the example of
endeavouring to stand into a position more favourable for continuing
the action ; but the untrustworthiness of the breeze, the unfavour-
able current, and the rocks and shoals to leeward, finally confounded
the effort ; and, in the meantime, it was found necessary to direct
the boats of the squadron to tow out the Pompee, the situation
of which had become precarious.2 Nearly all such boats as were
1 "Ce fut precisement cet heureux changement dont je profitai, qui me rendit
possible cette manoeuvre qui sauva ma division en m'evitant d'etre double."— Linois :
priv. letter to M. Gu^rm.
2 Linois stated positively in his dispatch that the Pompee struck " to the fire of
Isla Verde and of the Indomptable." She was never near enough, after the action had
464 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
not thus employed had been destroyed. In consequence, the Bear-
Admiral was also forced to forego an intention of sending his
Marines to storm the island battery, which had been reinforced
by the French; and at 1.35 P.M. l he signalled to cease action, and
withdrew his five unconipromised ships, leaving the Hannibal,
partially dismasted, shattered, silent, and aground, but still with her
flag flying.
Captain Ferris, when he saw that to prolong an active resistance
would be only to needlessly sacrifice his people, ordered firing to
cease and directed his officers and men to shelter themselves from
the enemy's shot. At about 2 P.M., realising that he could hope
no more to save his ship, he hauled down his colours. A little
while afterwards these colours were rehoisted upside down, and, in
consequence, the Calpe, which had approached from the direction
of Gibraltar, sent a boat to the Hannibal's assistance. The French
had by that time taken possession ; and the boat's crew was there-
fore made prisoners.2
The losses on both sides were very heavy. The Ccesar had
9 killed and 33 wounded or missing; the Pompee, 15 killed and
69 wounded ; the Spencer, 6 killed and 27 wounded ; the Venerable,
8 killed and 25 wounded ; the Audacious, 8 killed and 32 wounded ;
and the Hannibal, 75 killed and 66 wounded or missing : total
373 killed, wounded, and missing, besides the prisoners taken with
the Hannibal. The officers killed were : Masters William Grave
(Casar), and Kobert Koxburgh (Pompee) ; Midshipmen Steward
(Pompee), and William Gibbons (Venerable) ; Captain's Clerk David
Lindsey (Hannibal) ; and Lieutenant of Marines James D. Williams
(Hannibal). Among the officers wounded were Lieuts. Eichard
Cheeseman, Arthur Stapledon, and Thomas Innes (Pompee), and
John Turner (Hannibal). The Hannibal had her fore and main-
masts shot away and many of her guns disabled ; the Pompee had
not a mast, yard, shroud, rope, or sail uninjured ; the Ccesar had
all her masts and yards more or less wounded, and several shot in
her hull ; but the remaining British vessels had received no very
serious injuries. Captain Ferris, after his return to England, was
beguc, to be seriously inconvenienced by the fire from the island. The ship's log
mentions that the colours were shot away and quickly rehoisted. Hence, probably,
the error of Linois.
1 C«so/-'s Log. Log of Audacious says 1.20.
2 Ferris : ' Narrative,' ' Viet, et Conq.,' xiv. 16 1 . Veneruble's Log. Calpe s Log,,
probably in error, puts time of Hannibal's striking as late as 4 P.M.
1801.] PROMPTITUDE OF SAUMAEEZ. 4C5
tried, with his officers and ship's company, for the loss of the
Hannibal, and was most honourably acquitted.1 The French lost,
according to their own reports, 306 killed, and 280 wounded, among
the former being Captains Moncousu and Laindet Lalonde. Their
ships were much damaged as well aloft as in their hulls ; and of
the Spanish gunboats five had been driven ashore or sunk. But
Saumarez's first impression that the whole French squadron had
been rendered "entirely unserviceable," was, as will be seen, soon
proved to be incorrect.
The British Bear-Admiral, having taken his ships to Gibraltar,
set to work, with almost unexampled energy, to fit them again
for service. It was judged hopeless to attempt to repair the Pompee
in time to make her ready for further work against Linois ; and her
people were turned over to help in bringing forward the rest of the
squadron. Saumarez himself was inclined also to despair of the
Ccesar ; and he shifted his flag from her to the Audacious ; but
Captain Jahleel Brenton was more sanguine, and, appealing to his
men not to allow the Bear-Admiral to go to sea in another ship,
ordered them to work all day, and by watch and watch at night ; the
result being that the Ccesar was ready when she was again wanted,
and that Saumarez, on the 12th, rehoisted his flag in her. The
business was done with an energy and rapidity that have never been
exceeded.
It has already been said that Bear-Admiral Dumanoir Le Pelley
was at Cadiz in charge of the six ships of the line which had been
transferred by Spain to France. He had arrived there from Brest
on June 13th, with the frigates Liberte, 40, and Indienne, 40, after
a smart chase by the Venerable and Superb ; but he still lacked
many of the officers and men to enable him to take over the
squadron. As soon as Linois had floated his grounded ships and
his prize at Algeciras, he sent a message to Dumanoir Le Pelley and
Massaredo, at Cadiz, begging them to come or send to his assistance,
ere the British should be in a position to again attack him. Both
flag officers were willing enough to aid him. Indeed, succour would
probably have been despatched so soon as the danger of Linois
1 C. M., Sept. 1, 1801. French historians assert that after Capt. Ferris had
surrendered his ship, he quitted his people, and fled in a boat to Gibraltar, being fired
upon by the French as he went, but escaping. That there is no truth in this is proved
by the fact that after the action Capt. Jahleel Brenton was sent to Algeciras to
negotiate the exchange of, among others, Ferris and Lord Cochrane (Brenton, iii. 36 ;
James, iii. 122), and that Ferris was eventually liberated on parole.
VOL. IV. 2 H
466
MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1801.
became known, but for the non-arrival of the French officers and
seamen, and for the impossibility of getting the Spanish authorities
to move with promptitude. On July 8th, however, Vice-Admiral
Don Juan Joaquin de Moreno anchored in the outer road of Cadiz
with five Spanish and one Franco-Spanish sail of the line, three
frigates and a lugger, in readiness to sail for Algeciras on the
following morning. His proceedings were observed by the Superb,
Thames, and Pasleij, which were by that time again off the port.
At daylight on the 9th Moreno put to sea with all his squadron
except the Saint Antoine (ex-San Antonio), which was delayed, but
which rejoined on the following morning ; and made sail towards
the Gut of Gibraltar, while the Superb, Thames, and Pasley kept
ahead of him. That forenoon the Pasley pressed on and entered
Gibraltar signalling the approach of an enemy ; at 3 P.M. the Superb
and Thames joined Saumarez ; and a little later the squadron from
Cadiz joined Linois off Algeciras. On the two following days the
British worked harder than ever to make ready for sea ; and when,
at dawn on July 12th, the Franco-Spaniards loosed sails, the
squadron of Saumarez, except the Pompee, was prepared to meet
them. The enemy began to get under way at noon ; by 1 P.M. their
headmost ships were off Cabareta Point,1 and the Ccesar was
warping out of Gibraltar mole, her band playing " Come, cheer up,
my lads," and the garrison band answering with " Britons, strike
home." At 3 P.M. Saumarez signalled for the rest of his squadron
to weigh and prepare for battle. The forces about to be opposed one
to another are set forth in the note.2
1 The Hannibal, towed by the Indienne, left with the fleet; but, being unable to
keep up with it, the two vessels eventually returned to Algeciras.
2 BRITISH.
FRANCO-SPANISH.
rri
j
SHIPS.
~
P
COMMANDERS.
SHIPS.
O
COMMANDERS.
{Rear-Adm. Sir James Sau-
Real Carlos (S) .
112
Don J. Esquerra.
Cellar. . . .
80
marez.
Capt. Jahleel Brentou.
San Hermene-
gildo (S) . .
112
„ J. Emparran.
Venerable.
Superb . . .
Spencer . . .
Audacious
74
74
74
74
Samuel Hood (2).
Richard Goodwin Keats.
Henry d'Estt rre Darby.
Khuldham Peard.
SanFernando(S')
formidable (F) .
Indomptable (F)
Art/onauta ^S) .
94
80
80
80
,, J. JIalina.
Com. A. G. Troude.
,, — Lucas.
Don J. Herrrra.
Thames .
Carlotta (Portug.)
32
Aiskew Paffard Hollis.
Craufurd Duncan.
San Auffitstin (S)
St. Antoine (F) .
Vesaix (F) . .
74
74
74
„ R. Topete.
Commod. Julieu Le Roy.
Capt. J. A. Christi-Pailliere.
Calpe, polacre .
14
(Com. Hon. George Heneage
\ Lawrence Dundas.
f-'abina (S)' . .
44
Louisa, armed
brig. . . .
8
Lieut. Francis Truscott.
Libert* (F) . .
Muiron (F) .
<0
40
„ Prote-iu.
„ Martinencq.
Vautour (F) .
14
„ Kernel.
1 Flags of Vice-Adm. Moreno and Rear-Adm. Liiiois.
. •///#//'/•(// . .
////• , //f//'////swi. BartJLRD.CL.
/' ' S/
r'S/'S- , "M/'S///-/'sf/ srf , y/V"/// - st/'SfWS?/ .
iSjjs
1801.] SAUMAREZ'S VICTORY. 467
The wind was from the east ; and, as soon as they were clear
of the shelter of the Eock, the British ships formed in line ahead
on the port tack. At 7 P.M. they wore together, and stood on the
starboard tack, until a little after 8 P.M., when, the enemy having
all cleared Cahareta Point, Saumarez bore away in chase. A little
previously, Don Juan Moreno, in accordance with the Spanish
custom of the time, had shifted his flag from a line-of-battle ship
to the frigate Sabina, and had, with considerable difficulty, persuaded
M. Linois to leave the Formidable for the same vessel.
At 8.40 P.M. the Eear-Admiral hailed the Superb, and ordered her
to make sail ahead, and attack the rearmost of the enemy's ships,
none of which were at that time visible. Captain Keats, in response,
quickly passed the flagship ; and by 10 P.M., when the wind had
freshened, only the Ccesar and Venerable, of her own squadron,
remained visible from her deck. By 11 P.M. her next astern, the
Ccesar, was fully three miles away, and the Venerable could not be
seen at all. Twenty minutes later, Keats distinguished the Real
Carlos, 112, about a point before his port beam, and the San
Hermenegildo, 112, and St. Antoine on the three-decker's port side.
He therefore shortened sail, and, quite regardless of the fact that
he was alone, opened his port guns on the Heal Carlos when he was
at a distance of about a cable and a half from her. He had given
the Spaniard three broadsides and had brought down her foretop-
mast, when, perceiving her to be 011 fire, he again made sail. In
the meantime the Real Carlos, after having for a short time
continued her course, came suddenly to the wind, dropped astern,
and began, with her two nearest consorts, firing wildly. Each, in
the darkness, mistook the others, it would appear, for an enemy.
Having passed on, the Superb, at 11.50 P.M., brought the
St. Antoine to action, and, after half an hour's engagement, some
of which was fought at close quarters upon a wind, the Frenchman
hailed that she surrendered.1 She was afterwards, owing to her
broad pennant having been accidentally left flying, fired into by the
Ccesar, Venerable, Spencer, and Thames as they got up ; but it was
not long ere it was made known that she had already struck. Just
before she surrendered, the Real Carlos, which had never succeeded
in extinguishing her fire, blew up ; but, ere she did so, she had
1 In this contest the Superb had 15 (including Lieut. Edmund Waller) wounded.
The St. Antoine was added to the Navy, but after reaching Portsmouth she never
again went to sea.
2 H 2
468 MAJOR OPEBATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
fouled, and , also set fire to, her unfortunate consort the San
Hermenegildo, which, in turn, at about 12.30 A.M. on the 13th,
exploded. From these two three-deckers, 38 persons reached the
Superb, and 262 more were taken up by other ships ; but the rest
of the complements, amounting to about 1700 officers and men,
perished. The Superb, Carlotta, Calpe, and Louisa remained by
the prize, and the rest of the squadron pressed on after the enemy.
After midnight the wind temporarily increased to a gale, and
at 4 A.M., when the Venerable and Thames led the squadron and
were getting up with the Formidable, the Ccesar was some distance
astern of them, the Spencer was far astern of her, and the Audacious
and Superb were out of sight. At about that time the wind began
to drop, and even to fail ; and, in spite of all that could be done,
only the Venerable and Thames were able to gain materially upon
the chase. At 5.15 A.M. the Formidable opened with her stern guns
upon the Venerable ; and, a little later, the light and baffling airs
threw the two ships broadside to, within musket shot of one
another. A hot action then ensued. By 5.30 the Venerable had
lost her mizen topmast; at 5.45, by order, the Thames hauled up
and raked the Formidable from astern ; at 6.45 the Venerable 's
mainmast went by the board, and the British 74 fell alongside her
opponent, who, profiting by the confusion, stood on, though slowly,
and, as she went, plied the Venerable for some time from her stern-
chasers. Neither the Ccesar nor trie Spencer was able to get within
gunshot of her. Captain Hood's ship was left unmanageable. At
7.50, to add to her difficulties, she lost her foremast ; and almost
simultaneously she struck upon the shoals in front of San Pedro,
about twelve miles south of Cadiz. At about 8 A.M. her mizenmast
went over the 'side, and Saumarez, by boat, sent to her Captain
permissive directions to abandon and destroy the vessel in case the
enemy should show any disposition to attack her again, while he
also ordered the Thames to be ready to take on board her people.
But Hood did not despair of saving his ship ; and, when the
Audacious and Superb at length showed in the southward, the
enemy, who had previously betrayed some slight inclination to
renew the engagement, hauled up for, and presently entered Cadiz.
The Venerable had lost eighteen killed and eighty-seven wounded,
among the former being her Master, John AVilliams, and among
the latter Lieutenant Thomas Church. The Thames had escaped
scot free.
1801.] SALVING OF THE "VENERABLE:' 469
The total casualties suffered by the enemy 1 cannot be ascer-
tained ; but they had lost three ships, two by fire and one by
capture ; and this they have never attempted to deny. The action
is, nevertheless, always chronicled in French histories as a victory,
and, indeed, as a most glorious victory, for France. That this is so
is, no doubt, due almost entirely to the extraordinary report which,
after reaching Cadiz, Commander Troude,2 of the Formidable, sent
to Rear-Admiral Linois. At about midnight, so he declared, he had
sustained the fire of five British ships ; and at daybreak he had been
attacked by three ships and a frigate, and had driven them all off,
completely dismasting one of them.3 This exaggerated story was
accepted by the French government, and has been credited by the
French people ; and Troude, not so much on the strength of his
other performances, some of which were far more worthy of
applause, as on the strength of this imaginative dispatch, has ever
since ranked among the most brilliant naval heroes of his country.
That he made a good defence is true. That he disabled the
Venerable, a ship of force inferior to his own, is true also. But
that he drove off the British squadron, or that the action was, in
any sense of the words, a French or a Franco-Spanish victory, is, of
course, utter nonsense. Dumanoir Le Pelley, in his report 4 to the
Minister of Marine, ingenuously adopted and gave currency, never-
theless, to all Troude's self-glorification.
After the disappearance of the allies, the British, thanks mainly
to the Thames and to the boats of the Cccsar and Spencer, succeeded
in hauling off the Venerable, which, by 8 A.M. on the 14th, owing to
the energy of her own people, had got up three spars to serve as
masts and had made some sail on them, though she still had to be
towed. Saumarez returned to Gibraltar with her and the prize, and
left the Spencer, Audacious, and Thames to watch the enemy in
Cadiz. He sent home his dispatches5 by Lieutenant Philip Duma-
resq, first of the Caesar, who, upon delivering them, was made a
Commander. The first Lieutenants of the Superb and Venerable,
1 Troude speaks of having had 3 killed and 2 wounded in the night action, and
20 killed or severely wounded in the morning one. — Keport to Linois.
2 Aimable Gilles Troude ; born 1762 ; entered the Navy at the beginning of the
American War; posted for this action on July 14th, 1801; subsequently served in the
West Indies ; rear-admiral, 1811 ; convoyed Louis XVIII. to France, 1814 ; retired, 1810 ;
died, 1824.
3 Troude to Linois, July 15th, in Moniteur.
4 Cadiz, July 16th.
5 In the Louisa.
470 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
Samuel Jackson and James Lillicrap, were also deservedly promoted ;
and Saumarez himself, for his promptitude in striking at two parts
of a force largely in excess of his own, for the quickness with which
he had refitted his squadron, and for the gallantry which he had
displayed in pursuing and in beating a numerically superior squadron,
was made a K.B., and given a pension of £1200 a year. In
common, too, with his officers and men he received the thanks of
Parliament. In itself the success was not of first-rate importance,
though it was brilliant. But it was important as part of the system
which was then in process of enforcement by Great Britain in all the
waters of Europe. The application of sea-power had begun to
hamper Napoleon by confounding his plans and preventing his
combinations. His enemy had begun to seize and hold the interior
positions, and to beat his detachments in detail whenever they
ventured far from port. And it is the merit of Saumarez that,
when the time came for him to do his share of work in the general
scheme, he did it, in spite of a preliminary check, and in face of
superior numbers.
It has been seen that, either upon their own initiative or at the
instigation of others, Eussia, Sweden, Denmark, and Portugal had
added themselves, in this last year of the war, to the ranks of the
enemies of Great Britain. Such of these countries as possessed
outlying possessions were promptly made to realise how dangerous
for them was the new policy. Sweden was promptly deprived by
Rear-Admiral John Thomas Duckworth and Lieut. -General Thomas
Trigge l of her small colonies in the AVest Indies. St. Bartholomew
surrendered on March 20th, and St. Martin on March 24th.
Denmark suffered in a similar way. St. Thomas and St. John
capitulated on March 29th, and St. Croix on March 31st to the
same force. Nor did Portugal2 fare any better. On July 23rd a
British squadron anchored in Funchal Bay and landed a detachment
which, under the orders of Colonel Clinton, took possession of the
forts and occupied Madeira. British garrisons were also placed in
all the East Indian colonies of Portugal except Macao. Holland,
too, was made to suffer for her subservience to France. The French
were obliged on April 16th to evacuate St. Eustatia, which, with
1 Both Duckworth and Trigge were made Knights of the Bath for these services,
June 6th.
2 Portugal bought off France by a treaty which was signed at Madrid on
Sept. 29th, 1801, and which ceded to Prance part of Portuguese Guiana.
1801-1802.] THE PEACE. 471
Saba, was occupied by Captain John Perkins,1 of tbe Arab, 20, and
a few troops under Colonel Blunt, of the 3rd Buffs ; and, in the
East, Ternate, after a stubborn resistance of fifty-two days,
capitulated on June 21st to the East India Company's forces under
Colonel Barr and Captain Hayes, H.E.I.C. ; but, save at the place
last mentioned, and at St. Martin, where the enemy lost about fifty
killed and wounded, the operations involved little or no fighting.
In the meantime the belligerents had become, for the moment,
weary of the contest : and on October 1st, after some negotiations,
preliminary articles of peace were signed in London. Ratifications
were exchanged on October 10th, and King George, on the 12th,
proclaimed a cessation of hostilities by sea and land ; but the defini-
tive treaty of peace was not signed at Amiens until March 27th,
1802 ; 2 and, more than once in the interval, it looked as if hostilities
were on the point of being resumed. Indeed, few at any time
regarded the settlement as likely to be of long duration.
The peace, such as it was, provides, however, a convenient
halting place for the course of this history, the present chapter of
which will be fitly concluded with some account of the gains and
losses of the contracting parties 3 and of others concerned.
In Europe, France had restored to her the little islands of
St.. Marcou ; the republic of the Seven (Ionian) Islands was acknow-
ledged ; Portugal returned to the status quo ante, save as regards
Alemtejo, which, under the treaty of Badajos, she had ceded to Spain ;
the French were to evacuate Neapolitan and Roman territory ; and
the British were to evacuate all the ports,4 save Gibraltar, which
they held in the Mediterranean, restoring each to its previous
owner. It was expressly stipulated, moreover, as to Malta, Gozo,
and Comino, which were to revert to the Order of St. John of
Jerusalem, that they were to be evacuated by British troops within
1 This John Perkins was a gallant but very extraordinary character, a Lieutenant
of 1782, a Commander of 1797, and a Captain of 1800. He is supposed, by a writer in
the ' Nautical Magazine,' who knew him, to have been of illegitimate birth, and to have
had negro blood in his veins. He could only write to the extent of signing his name
mechanically ; and he served almost exclusively in the West Indies, where, when on
half-pay, he lived with little regard to the decencies of civilisation. He was known on
the station as " Jack Punch," the Punch, schooner, having been one of his earliest
commands. His name occurs more than once in this history. He died in 1812.
'Naut. Mag.,' 1842, 387-391, 461-465 ; 'Nav. Chron.,' xvii. 458, xxvii. 351.
2 Peace was proclaimed in London on April 29th, 1802.
3 Great Britain, France, Spain, and the Batavian Republic.
4 Including Minorca, which reverted to Spain.
472 MAJOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1802.
three months of the exchange of the ratification. Egypt and
the territories of the Porte, were to he maintained in their integrity
as before the war.
The numerous foreign conquests of Great Britain were thus
disposed of under the treaty. To France were restored St. Pierre
and Miquelon ; Pondicherry, Chandernagore, and Foul Point, Mada-
gascar ; Goree ; and, in the West Indies, Tobago, Martinique, and
St. Lucia. To the Batavian Kepublic were restored Malacca and its
dependencies ; Amboyna, Banda, and Ternate ; the Cape of Good
Hope ; and Demerara, Essequibo, Berbice, Surinam and Cura£ao.
To Denmark and Sweden were restored their little islands in the
West Indies ; and Portugal received back Madeira. Only Trinidad,
which had been won from Spain, and the settlements in Ceylon,
which had been won from Holland, were retained by Great Britain
as trophies of her victorious war. The reason why she held so little
and surrendered so much was that, one after another, her continental
allies had failed her ; and that France, though beaten at sea, was not
to be gainsaid on shore except by the indirect influences of sea-
power. Yet, upon the whole, Great Britain had little cause for
dissatisfaction. As Mahan justly points out, she had successfully
traversed a long stage towards the final solution of a great difficulty.
France, in 1793, had begun the war, posing as the champion of
ideas which she desired to force upon the whole world. French
republican quixotism and popular aggressiveness had, in the nine
years, been bled and bled until their feverish energy had left them.
There remained unaffected, it is true, the ambition and aggressive-
ness of a single man, France's master, Napoleon. But the vicious
impulse of one man, no matter how able, is always a much easier
force to deal with than the vicious impulse of an entire nation ; and
the Peace of Amiens, though it did not end the whole danger, did
effectively tame the most threatening tendencies of the French
revolution. Great Britain, or, to be exact, Great Britain's sea-
power, had been the chief factor in the accomplishment of this
result ; and Great Britain, without having lost a yard of the territory
that had belonged to her in 1793, had gained not only her moral
object, but also two rich islands in distant seas. She gained, there-
fore, very substantial advantages.
Nor had her commerce, which is her wealth, suffered materially
during the struggle. While the merchant ships of France had
literally been swept from the seas, the British merchant navy had
1802.] TEE WAR AND BRITISH COMMERCE. 473
grown to greater proportions than ever. It suffered heavy losses,1
of course ; but the gains soon became even more considerable than
the risks ; and the general result of the war was to make British
trade a hundred per cent, more nourishing than it had been in any
previous time of peace.2
Between the conclusion of peace and the renewal of the war in
1803, the Eoyal Navy saw no active service that requires a chronicle.
The government of the United States was engaged, during the
interval, in hostilities with the piratical states of the Barbary coast ;
and France embarked upon an unfortunate and costly expedition for
the reduction of San Domingo, which had fallen into the hands of
the exceptionally able mulatto general and statesman, Toussaint
Louverture ; 3 but these operations called neither for the aid nor for
the interference of Great Britain.
1 According to Lloyd's returns, 3466 British ships were captured from 1793 to
1800 inclusive. The enemy lost less only because he had far less to lose. The per-
centage of British trade captured was but about 2J per cent. French trade, on the
other hand, disappeared.
1 Chalmers : ' Hist. View,' 351.
3 Louverture capitulated and was allowed to return to his home, but he was after-
wards arbitrarily arrested and deported to France, where he died in prison. This
treacherous treatment of him served only to rekindle the hostility of the blacks.
SIGNATURE OF ADMIRAL SIB FRANCIS LAFOREV, BART.
( 474 )
CHAPTEE XXXVI.
MINOB OPERATIONS OF THE EOYAL NAVY, 1793-1802.
H. W. WILSON.
Beginning of hostilities — Capture of privateers — The Iris and Citoyenne Fran$aise —
Loss of the Hyaena — The Venus and the Semillante — The Nymphe takes the
Cleopatre — The Boston and the Embuscade — The Crescent takes the Reunion —
Nelson and a French squadron — The Thames and the Uranie — Loss of the
'Ihames — Capture of the Inconstant. — The Antelope takes the Atalante — Escape
of the Juno — Defence of the Piyot — Capture of the Pomone and Engageante —
The Crpheus takes the Duguay Trouin — The Swiftsure takes the Atalante — Loss
of the Castor — Her recapture — Escape of the Crescent, Druid, and Eurydice — The
Bomney takes the Sibylle — Loss of the Hound — Destruction of the Volonlaire
• — Sauraarez frightens Weymouth — Capture of the Revolutionnaire — Captain
Matthew Smith's action — Loss of the Daphne — Faulknor at Desirade — The
Blanche takes the Pique — Loss of the Esperance and capture of the Sequin —
The Lively takes the Espion and the Tourterelle — The Coureuse and Jean Bart
taken — The Axtrssa takes the Gloire — The Hannibal takes the Gentille — Blowing
up of the Boyne — French convoy destroyed in Camaret Bay — Capture of French
storeships — The Courier National, Prompte, and Liberte taken — Capture of the
Minerve — The Alliantie taken — The Southampton and the Vestale — Capture of
the Superbe, Brutus, Republicaine, Bonne Citoyenne, Aspic, and Mutine — Sidney
Smith at Erqui — Warren's action with a convoy — The Revolutionnaire takes the
Unite — Smith taken prisoner — Fremantle at Bona — Capture of the Virginie — The
Ecureuil burnt — The Spencer takes the Volcan — The Argo taken — The Santa
Margarita takes the Tamise, and the Unicorn the Tribune — Cutting out of the
Utile — The Dryad captures the Proserpine — Capture of the Legere and Renommee
— The Glutton and French frigates — Indecisive actions — The Andromaqus
destroyed — Escape of the Rai*on — The Topaze takes the Elisabeth — Frigate
action off Sumatra — Blowing up of the Amphion — Defence of the Pelican — The
Terfsicliore captures the Mahonesa — The Lapwing at Anguilla — The Terpsichore
aud the Vestale — Capture and recapture of the Sabina — The Blanche and the
Ceres — Capture of the Tartu — Escape of Indiamen — An Algerine pirate taken —
Landing of French criminals at Fishguard — Capture of the Resistance and
Constance — The Ninfa and Santa Elena taken — Destruction of the Calliope — •
Capture of the Quite — Action with the Reol'iise, etc. — The Ranger and the Hyene
taken — The Pha&e takes the Nereide — Capture of the Daphne — The Sibylle and
Fox at Manilla — The Speedy and the Papillon — Action with the Charerite —
Escape of the Pearl — Taking of the Corcyre and Mondavi — The Seahorse takes
the Sensible — Capture of the Seine — Capture of the Santa Dorotea— Blowing up
1793.] THE "IRIS" AND THE "CITOYENNE FSANCA1SE." 475
of the Resistance — Escape of the Brilliant — Cutting out of the Aventurier — The
Espoir takes the Liguria — Capture of the Vaillante and of the Neptune — Loss of
the Leander — Capture of the Decade — Taking of the Fwie and Waakzaamheid —
Dickson at Margarita — Loss of the Ambuscade — Defence of the Wolverine — Wreck
of the Proserpine — The Argo taken — The Dxdalus takes the Prudente — The
Espoir takes the Africa — The Sibylle captures the Forte — Frigate action off
Hoedic — Loss of the Fortune — Cutting out affair at La Selva — Recapture of the
Crash — The Clyde takes the Vestale — The Tamar captures the Republicaine —
Taking of the Draak and Oier — Action in Algoa Bay — Escape of the Preneuse —
Taking of the Arethuse and Bordelaise — Blowing up of the Trincomuh — Capture
of the Thetis and Santa Brigida — '1 he Cerberus and Spanish frigates — Cutting
out of the Hermione — The Speedy off Gibraltar — Capture of the Gali,o — The
Solebay off San Domingo — Burning of the Preneuse — Action off Madeira — Capture
of the Pallas — The Petnl takes the Ligurienne — Capture of the Carmen and
Flor<ntina — Taking of the Albanaise — Affairs off St. Croix and Xoirmoutier — •
Cutting out of the Desiree — Cutting out of the Cerbere — Capture of the Concorde
and Medee — The Seine takes the Vengeance — Cutting out of the Esmeralda and
Paz — Taking of the East Indiarnan Kent — Capture of the Venus — Cutting out of
the San Josef — The Milbrook and the Bellone — Destruction of the Reolaise —
Cutting out of the Senegal — Capture of the Eclair and of the t'anspanille — Gallant
action of the N. S. de los Dolores — Capture of the Dedaigneuse — Taking of the
Curieux — -Action of the Penguin — The Pliatbe takes the Africaine — Lord
Cochrane in the Spetdy — The Mercury at Ancona — Affair off Oropeso — Cutting
out of the Chevrette — Gallant action of the Pasley — Mysterious engagements of
the Sylph — Capture of the Chiffonne — The Victor and the Flecle — Recapture of
the Bulldog — Unsatisfactory nature of ships' logs — Criticism of French tactics —
Influence of chance — Effects of weight of metal upon the results of actions — Value
of the carronade — Various categories of actions — British promptitude in refitting
—Successes of merchantmen — Distribution of British cruisers.
QN
January 2nd, 1793, the first act of hostility
between France and England in Europe occurred,
MESS KETTI.K. tne GliUders, sloop, being fired upon by the Brest forts
whilst standing in towards the harbour.
On May 13th occurred the first naval action of the war,1
though previously, on March 13th, the British sloop, Scourge,
Commander George Brisac, had captured one French privateer,
and on April 14th a British squadron had taken another. The
Iris, 32, Captain George Lumsdaine, sighted a strange sail in
the Bay of Biscay, early in the morning, and gave chase. The
stranger was closed at about 6.30 A.M., and engaged, but after an
hour and a half of sharp fighting made off; and the Iris, having
lost her foremast, maintopmast, and mizenmast, was unable to
overhaul her. The stranger was at the time supposed to be the
French Medee, but has been proved by James to have been the
Citoyenne Franchise, 32.
1 James, i. 100 (Edit. 1886. London, 6 vols. 8 vo.). No notice in Troude.
476
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1793.
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.3
Total.
Iris .
688
40'
Lbs.
246 2
217 n.
4
32
36
C'itoyenne F. .
800?
36
270?
275 n.
16
37
53
90 minutes.
1 Carronades, which are not counted in the rating, are always included in these comparisons.
= Allowance has been made lor the greater weight of the French pound in these Ubles. Vide James, 1. 45.
a Slightly wounded men were rarely included in the returns.
On May 27th, in the West Indies, the Hycena, 24, Captain
William Hargood (1), was seen and chased by the Concorde, 40,
Captain Vandongen, and by several other French vessels.1 She
was quickly overhauled, and, after a few shots, struck her colours.
Concorde
Hi/ana .
Guns.
44
30
Broadside.
410 Ibs.
153 „
On the same day, to the west of Cape Finisterre,2 the British
Venus, 32, Captain Jonathan Faulknor (2), sighted the Semil-
lante, 32, Captain Gaillard. The two closed, the Venus being to
windward, and began a warm fire at about 8 A.M. After two hours'
fighting the Semillante' s guns seemed to be silenced ; and the Venus
was bearing down to take possession, when another ship under
French colours hove in sight, and the Venus retired. The Semil-
lante lost her captain and first lieutenant killed, and had her masts,
sails, and hull badly injured, and five feet of water in her hold.
The Venus was much damaged in her masts, sails, and rigging.
She was fortunate in escaping the strange ship, which was the
CUopdtre, 36, and in rejoining the British Nymphe, 36, from which
she had parted two days before.
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Kilk-d.
AVoundtd.
Total.
Venus
722 l
38
Lbs.
222
192
2
20
22
Semillante
940
36 2
270
300?
12
20
32
1 Chavnock gives a. Venus, 36, <jf this tonnage, built in 1758. She Is the same ship.
2 Jame, credi'sthe Semillante with ten 6-prs. ; Tronde,with only four. Vide cote to James, i. 103. I have
followed Troude.
On June 18th, the British frigate, Nymphe, 36, Captain Edward
1 James, 105 ; Troude, ii. 302.
2 James, 103 ; Troude, 302 ; C. Williams, ' Liverpool Privateers,' 314.
I!
g
w I
«; i
o *5
J -S
O ^3
H ^
H g
o I
M
1793.]
THE "NYMPHE" AND THE "CLEOPATRE."
477
Pellew, whilst cruising in the Channel, sighted the Cleopatre, 36,
Captain Million, and bore down upon her.1 The French ship
shortened sail and waited for the British attack. The two vessels
were within hail before a shot had been fired. The Nymphe's men
gave three cheers for the King ; the French replied ; and Captain
Mullon, standing in the gangway, waved his hat and shouted, " Vive
la nation ! " At 6.15 A.M., Pellew, who had been standing with his
hat in his hand, put it on his head, as the concerted signal for
opening fire. About seven the CUopatre's mizenmast fell, masking
some of her guns on the engaged side ; and just at the same time
Israel Pellew, the Captain's brother, who was on board as a volunteer,
succeeded in shooting away the CUopatre's wheel, on which she fell
on board the Nymphe, with her other broadside bearing, her jib-
boom striking the Nymphe's mainmast. The jib-boom broke, but
one of the CUopatre's studding sail boom-irons hooked the Nymphe's
maintopsail leech-rope, and the latter had to be cut away to save
the mast. The Nymphe anchored that the French ship might clear
her, but before this could happen the Cleopatre had fallen. Pellew
noticed that the French were gathering to board, and ordered his
men to prepare to repel them ; on which the British seamen swept
on board the enemy and carried the ship. The heroic Mullon was
discovered in the agony of death, striving to bite to pieces a paper
which, he thought, contained the French secret coast-signals.2 His
failing consciousness did not reveal to him that he was destroying
the paper containing his commission. For this action Captain
Pellew was knighted, and his brother, Israel, was promoted to
post rank.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Meii.
Killed. Wounded. ' Total.
Nymphe .
938
40
Lbs.
322
240
23 27 50
Cleopatre.
913
40 1
290 '
320
63
55 minutes.
i Troude differs from James as to the armament, giving Cleopfttre thirty-six guns, with a broadside of
204 Ibs. j but, as Cleopatre was captured, it may be assumed that the English figures are the more correct. Of.
also Pellew, in Osier, 59, who gives her forty guns, some 18*8.
1 Troude, ii. 303 ; James, i. 106 ; Osier, ' Lord Exmouth,' 54 (2nd edition).
2 As a trait of chivalrous generosity, it should be recorded that Pellew sent
pecuniary aid to Capt. Mullen's widow.
478 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
The Cleopdtre was purchased for the British Navy, and re-named
Oiseau.
In July, Captain George William Augustus Courtenay of the
British frigate Boston, 32, cruising off New York, sent in a challenge
to Captain Jean Baptiste Fran£ois Bompard of the French frigate
Embuscade, 34, having first captured by an adroit stratagem the
Embuscade' s first lieutenant with a boat's crew.1 Courtenay offered
to wait for three days off Sandy Hook, and had a written copy of
the challenge posted up in one of the New York coffee-rooms. On
July 30th, a considerable French fleet passed, but the Boston kept
her station, and in the night of the 31st saw a large ship standing
towards her. The Embuscade had come out to fight. Both ships
hoisted their colours at about dawn, and, soon after five, closed and
began action — the Boston with her larboard and the Embuscade
with her starboard broadside. Their evolutions were watched by
a great crowd on the New Jersey beach, twelve miles away. In
less than an hour the Boston s rigging was so injured that she
lost command of her sails, and a little later her maintopmast went
overboard. By 6.20 Captain Courtenay and the Lieutenant of
Marines were killed ; the two Lieutenants borne on the ship's
books were both severely wounded ; and the mizenmast was
tottering. The crew fell into confusion, but the wounded first
Lieutenant, John Edwards, took command and fought the ship.
With difficulty the Boston avoided an attempt of the Embuscade
to rake her. Her condition was desperate, as the wreck of the
maintopmast hampered the service of her guns, and all her chief
officers were killed and wounded. She turned and fled before the
wind, followed for some distance by the Embuscade, which had,
however, been too much injured in masts, sails, and rigging to
overtake her. After an hour's chase, the Frenchman put about
and returned to New York. The Boston was much the weaker
and smaller ship ; and at that time indiscipline had not destroyed
the moral of the French navy. On her return to New York the
Embuscade had to remove her masts. Captain Bompard was
presented with a gold medal, and Captain Courtenay's widow and
children were pensioned by the King. Brenton accuses Lieutenant
Edwards of cowardice, but, it would appear, on quite insufficient
evidence.
1 James, i. 110 ; Brenton [ed. 1837], i. 263 ; Troude, ii. 30*.
1793.]
TEE "CRESCENT" AND THE "SEUNION."
479
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Embuscade .
S06
34'
I.bs.
230 '
327
—
—
50
Boston
676
38
210
i!04
10
24
34
About 1 hour 40 minutes.
i So Troude. James differs, giving thirty-eight guns and 240-lb. broadsides. Brenton calls her an 18-pr.
frigate.
The battery of the Boston included six very indifferent 12-pr.
carronades, which, James states, were of the " useless monkey-
tailed " type.
On October 20th, the Crescent, 36, Captain James Saumarez,
sighted the French Reunion, 36, Captain Frangois A. Deniau, and
a cutter, at daylight, off Cherbourg.1 Saumarez had been informed
that there was a French frigate at Cherbourg, which left that port
at nightfall, cruised during the night, and returned early in the
morning. This was in fact the procedure of the "Reunion. The
Crescent was on her way with dispatches from Portsmouth to the
Channel Islands. She had just been docked and sailed very fast.
At 10.30 A.M., the Crescent was close enough to the enemy to open
fire, both ships being on the larboard tack. The cutter had made
off. In three-quarters of an hour the Reunion lost her foreyard
and mizen-topmast, and was in consequence exposed to the raking
fire of the Crescent, which ship, by a singularly adroit manoeuvre of
Saumarez, had wore round on her heel. Keeping under the enemy's
stern, the Crescent was able to use her larboard broadside, receiving
scarcely a shot from the Reunion. After a brave resistance which
had lasted over two hours, the Reunion struck, as the British Circe,
28, was approaching in the distance. She had lost her main top-
gallant mast, in addition to her mizen-topmast, and was a good deal
damaged. The Crescent's only loss was one man wounded by the
recoil of a gun.
—
Tuns.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded. ! Total.
Lbs.
Crescent .
888
36
315
257
0
0 0
Beunion .
951
40
310'
320
33
48 81
2 hours 10 minutes.
1 Saumarez makes her weight of metal 330 Ibs., which is a slight exaggeration.
1 James, 114; Troude, 309 ; Ross, ' Saumarez,' i. 101.
480 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793.
Captain Saumarez was knighted for this action. The Reunion was
purchased for the Navy, and retained her French name.
On October 22nd, the Agamemnon, 64, Captain Horatio Nelson,
cruising off Sardinia, sighted a French squadron composed as
follows :— :
Melpomene, 40 ... Capt. Gay. Mignonne, 28.
Minerve,38 .... „ [Z. J. T. Allemand?] Hasard, [?] 14.
Fortunes, 36 .... „ Maistral.
and made sail in chase.2 By 4 A.M. he was close enough to one of
the hostile frigates to speak her, and, as she did not answer his hail
but fired her stern-chasers at him, opened on her. She constantly
yawed and fired at the Agamemnon's rigging, whilst the slower-
sailing British ship could make but little reply. At first the
Agamemnon and her enemy had far outdistanced the other French
ships, but at about nine the Agamemnon ran into a calm, and her
enemy, hauling up, joined her French consorts. The Agamemnon
was too crippled to pursue, and the frigates were very satisfied to
get away. The British loss was one killed and six wounded. The
frigate engaged was apparently in a sinking state, but her loss is
unknown.
On October 24th, the Thames, 32, Captain James Cotes, sighted
the Uranie, 36, Captain Tartu, in the Bay of Biscay.3 The two
closed at once, and in thick weather began action at a little before
11 A.M., the Thames passing and repassing the Uranie on the
opposite tack, the ships each time exchanging fire. At 2.20 the
Uranie succeeded in raking the Thames, and tried to board, but
was raked in turn and driven off. She dropped to the south, and
the British crew hailed her retreat with cheers. She finally spread
all sail and retired, the Thames being too badly damaged to pursue
1 Nicolas, 'Nelson Dispatches,' i. 334; Troude, 313; James, 117.
2 So James. Nelson speaks of four frigates — one looking like a ship of the line —
and a brig ; he omits the Fleche, and gives the Fouchet, 24, and an unknown brig.
Troude gives the Fleche, 18, and omits Mignonne and Hasard. But as he makes
Z. J. T. Allemand the captain of the Minerve, when his own and other accounts show
Z. Allemand, at about this very time, to have been commanding the Carmagnole in the
Bay, his authority cannot be accepted. It is much to be regretted that there is no really
trustworthy French history of this war. The Gazette de France ceases to afford valuable
information; and deliberate falsification of facts, which is not noticeable in 1778-1783,
becomes too common. Chevalier omits minor actions with some rare exceptions.
Troude misdates this action.
3 Troude, 310 ; James, 113 ; Marshall, ' Nav. Biography,' III., ii. 252 ; C. M., 72,
June llth.
1793.]
TEE "THAMES'" AND THE "URANIE."
481
her. The Thames had suffered very severely in masts and rigging.
Her hull was terribly shattered, three guns were dismounted, and
almost all the gun-tackles and breechings had been carried away.
The Uranie's rigging was very much cut up, and her captain
wounded. Having on board many Spanish prisoners from the
Alcoudia, 16, which she had captured some days before, she made
for Eochefort.
Tons.
1 Guns.
Broadside. Men. Killed. Wounded. Total.
ffranie .
1100
40'
Lbs.
280 '
260'
I
? V
Thames .
656
32
174
187 *
11
23 34
3 hours,
i Troude. James, forty-four guns, 403-lb. broadside. 2 Captain Cotes's letter, 134 men and boys.
Whilst the battered Thames was refitting, at about 4 P.M., four sail
came in sight. Escape was out of the question for her, and one of
the strangers drew up under her stern and fired a broadside, when
she struck. Her captor was the Carmagnole, 40, Captain Zacharie
Jacques Theodore Allemand. The British crew were treated with
great severity and rigidly imprisoned. Captain Cotes's official
letter did not reach the Admiralty till May 7th, 1795, as the French
intercepted all correspondence. The Uranie's name was changed to
Tartu,1 after the battle, in memory of her captain.
On November 25th, the British frigates Penelope, 32, Captain
Bartholomew Samuel Eowley, and Iphigenia, 32, Captain Patrick
Sinclair, fell in, off San Domingo, with the French Inconstante, 36,
Captain Eiouffe.2 The Penelope began the action at about 1.30 A.M.
Tuns.
Guns. Broadside.
Men.
Killed. Wounded. I Total.
Lbs.
[Penelope . .720 40
246
217 n.
1
7
8
\Iphigenia . 681
40
246
217 n.
0
0
0
Inconstante .
40
270
300 n.
7
21
28
30 minutes.
1 English authorities say Tortue, and that the change was made to hide the
discreditable "defeat" of the French. But Tartu seems to have been the name, cf.
Troude. When in 1796 she entered the British service she was renamed Urania.
2 James, 122 ; Troude, 313.
VOL. IV. 2 I
482 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1794.
The hammock cloths on her engaged side soon took fire, but this did
not compel her to haul off. At two the Iphigenia came up, and the
Inconstante struck. The French captain was caught by a superior
force, with his ship unprepared for action, and could do little. The
Inconstante was purchased for the Navy.
On November 30th, the French brig Espiegle, 16, was captured
off Ushant by the British frigates Nymphe and Circe.1
On December 2nd, the diminutive West India packet Antelope,
6 (3-prs.), with an effective crew of twenty-one, fought and captured
a French privateer, the Atalante, 8, fitted out at Charleston, South
Carolina, and manned with a crew of sixty- five men, many of whom
were Americans. The Antelope lost three killed and four wounded.
Of her crew a French royalist, named Nodin, distinguished himself
most.
On January 8th, 1794, the Hind, 28, Captain Philip Charles
Durham, was chased by five French frigates and a brig.2 She escaped
with the loss of twelve men killed or wounded. The British ships of
the line, Impregnable, 90, and Majestic, 74, were close at hand, but
at first would give no aid, because they were weakly manned, fresh
from port, and took the Hind for a decoy.
On January llth, 1794, after the evacuation of Toulon, the
British frigate Juno, 32, Captain Samuel Hood (2), arrived from Malta
at that place.3 Hood was not aware that the British had abandoned
it, and could exchange no signals, as it was night when he neared
the port. He entered the inner harbour unchallenged, but took the
ground slightly, in attempting to pass a brig. That vessel hailed
him, and was answered by his informing her of his ship's name and
nationality. The Juno anchored with her stern on the shoal and
hoisted out a launch to warp off. Whilst she was thus engaged, a
boat rowed alongside, and from it two officers came up the ship's side,
and directed Hood to go to another part of the harbour. Something
in their words attracted attention, and a Midshipman, looking
carefully at them in the dim light, saw that they wore tri-coloured
cockades. They were seized, the cable was cut, and the Juno's sails
were set, whereupon the stern came off the ground and the ship stood
down the harbour. All the forts fired at her, but she escaped without
the loss of a man. Some damage to sail and rigging was the only
result of the brush with the formidable works of Toulon. This
1 Troude, 293 ; Log of Nymphe. 2 A. Murray, ' Sir P. Durham,' 27.
3 James, 216.
1794.] WARREN'S FRIGATE ACTION. 483
incident shows the ease with which the forts of those days could be
passed at night, even by a sailing ship.
On January 17th, two large French privateers, the Eesolue, 26,
and Vengeur, 34, attacked the Pigot, East Indiaman, George
Ballantyne, master, near Bencoolen, and were ignominiously beaten
off. Though the action lasted for nearly two hours the Pigot only
lost one man. Five days later the privateers were attacked by five
British East Indiamen * and captured. Their loss was heavy : the
British loss trifling.
On April 23rd, the British frigates Flora, 36, Commodore Sir
John Borlase Warren ; Arethusa, 38, Captain Sir Edward Pellew ;
Melampus, 36, 2 Captain Thomas Wells (1) ; Concorde, 36, Captain Sir
Eichard John Strachan; and Nymphe, 36, Captain George Murray (3),
whilst cruising off the Channel Islands, sighted the French ships
Engageante, 36, Commodore Desgarceaux ; Hesolue, 36, Captain P.
Villeon ; Pomone, 44, Captain Etienne Pevrieu ; and Babet, 20,
Lieutenant P. J. P. Belhomme.3 The French formed in line of
battle : the British came up one by one to windward of them. The
Flora began the action at 6.30 A.M., but lost her maintopmast, had
her rigging cut to pieces, and dropped behind. The Arethusa, after
engaging the Babet, took the Flora's place, whilst both sides crowded
all sail — the French to escape, the British to pursue. The Arethusa
and Melampus captured the Babet at 8.30: the Engageante and Hesolue
had left the Pomone behind, and on that ship next fell the brunt of
the British onset. Already the Pomone had been much damaged by
the Flora's fire. The Arethusa completed her discomfiture by
shooting away her main and mizen-masts, and setting her on fire.
She struck at 9.30. The Concorde and Melampus then pushed on
after the Eesolue and Engageante, but could not separate the pair
nor delay them both enough to enable the other ships to come up.
The Concorde accordingly decided to secure one, and closed the
Engageante. The two fought side by side almost uninterrupted,
as the Hesolue quickly retired and the other British ships were too
far astern to give help. At 1.45 P.M. the Engageante struck. In
comparative force the British had a great superiority — 210 guns to
1 William Pitt, Britannia, Nonsuch, Hotighton, and brig Nautilus.
- In the ' Navy List Book,' a 38.
3 James, 222 ; Troude, 323 ; Osier, 64 ; Brenton, i. 122. The British cruiser
squadron was to protect trade. Its cruising ground extended from Cape Finisterre to
Cherbourg. It was found so useful that other light squadrons of three or four frigates
were sent out to scour the same waters.
2 i 2
484
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1794.
144 :l 40 of those in the Kesolue were scarcely engaged, as against
as many in the NympJie which were not in action, owing to that
ship being left behind. None of the British ships were very
severely damaged. Their loss is stated as follows : —
British.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded. Total.
French. Men.
Loss.
Flora .
267
1
3 4
Engayean te . ?
?
Arethusa .
277
3
5 8
Pomone . . 341
80-100
Melampus
267
5
5 10
Balet. . . 178
30-40
Concorde .
257
1
12 13
1
The Pomone was of 1239 tons, of unusual beam, and an excellent
sailer.2 She was purchased for the Navy.
On May 5th, in East Indian waters, the OrpJieus, 32, Captain
Henry Newcome ; Centurion, 50, and Resistance, 44, chased the
French Duguay Trouin, 34, and another ship.3 The Orpheus closed
the Duguay Trouin, and began action before noon. In little more
than an hour the Frenchman struck. She had been an East India-
man, and was probably weakly built.
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed.
, AVounded.
Total.
Orpheus
708
40
Lbs.
246
194 1
9
10
Duguay Trouin
—
34
194?
? 21
60
81
The Centurion and Resistance were coming up fast when the
enemy surrendered.
On the same day the Swiftsure, 74, Captain Charles Boyles, and
St. Allans, 64, with a convoy out from Cork, saw and chased the
French frigate A talante, 36, Captain Charles Alexandre Leon Durand
Linois, and the corvette Levrette.4 The Swiftsure chose the former
as her quarry, and after a long chase, in which the two exchanged
fire more than once, brought her to close action on the 7th at 2.30 A.M.
The Levrette seems to have escaped. After fifty-five minutes' fighting
the Atalante struck. Her masts and rigging were in bad order before
1 Troude, 136.
2 According to Osier and James she carried 24-prs. on her main-deck ; according to
Brenton, 18's.
3 James, 226. Not in Troude. Possibly the Duguay Trouin was a privateer.
4 James, 227 ; Troude, 376 ; Hennequin, ' Biographic Maritime,' i. 320.
1794.] THE "CARYSFORT" RECAPTURES THE "CASTOE." 485
the action, and were now disabled. Her crew was weak, and had
been for two whole days and nights at quarters.
Tons. Guns. Broadside. Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Swiftsure
1612
82
Lbs.
928?
644
1
0
1
Atalante .
986
40?
280?
274
10
32
42
o5 minutes.
The Swiftsure and her prize were seen and unsuccessfully chased by
three 74's of M. Nielly's squadron. The Atalante was purchased
for the Navy, and renamed Espion.
On May 10th, the Castor, 32, Captain Thomas Troubridge, was
captured on her way to Newfoundland, without any resistance,1 by
the French Patriote, 74, one of Admiral Nielly's squadron. On the
29th she was sighted by the Carysfort, 28, Captain Francis Laforey,
and, after seventy-five minutes' action, recaptured. On board were
twenty of the Castor's British crew.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed. ! Wounded.
Total.
Carysfort
599
32
Lbs.
156
180 1
4
5
Castor
678
36
222
200 16
9?
25?
7o minutes.
On May 25th, Lord Howe's fleet captured and destroyed the
French Republicaine, 20, and Inconnue, 12. 2
On June 8th, the Crescent, 36, Captain Sir James Saumarez ;
Druid, 32, Captain Joseph Ellison ; and Eurydice, 24, Captain
Francis Cole, fell in with the French cut-down 74's, Scevola, 50,
and Brutus, 50, two 36-gun frigates and a brig, but succeeded in
making their escape. The Crescent drew off the French pursuit,
from the slower ships, heading into Guernsey road by a channel till
then unused by warships. Captain Saumarez was a Channel
Islander, and his local knowledge stood him in good stead. This
was an achievement as brilliant as it was gallant and skilful.
On June 17th, Captain the Hon. William Paget in the Bomney, 50,
1 James, 228 ; Troude, 379 ; C.M., 71, June 24th.
2 Logs of Audacious and Niger.
486
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1794.
with a convoy, discovered the French Sibylle, 40, Captain J. M.
Eondeau, at anchor in the harbour of Mykonos.1 Three other British
vessels were in sight from the Bomney's masthead, and, as her convoy
would for that reason be safe, she went into the harbour, anchored
close to the Sibylle, and summoned her to surrender. The Sibylle's
captain refused, and the Romney opened fire. After seventy minutes'
fighting mo&t of the French crew fled ashore, and Captain Eondeau
struck his colours. The Sibylle fought 14 instead of 13 guns on her
main-deck engaged broadside.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed. Wounded. Total.
Bomney .
1046
54'
Lbs.
462
266
8 ; 30 38
Sibylle . .
1091
44
380
380
44 112 156
70 minutes.
i James gives her no carrouades. but I have allowed her four Tronde gives her ten, and reduces the
Sibylle's battery to thirty-two guns.
The Sibylle was purchased into the British Navy.
On July 14th, the sloop Hound, 16, Commander Eichard Piercy,
on her way home from the West Indies, was captured, thirty miles
to the west of the Scillies, by the French frigates Seine, 40, and
Galatee, 36. 2 To a force so superior she offered no resistance.
On August 23rd, early in the morning, the British frigates Flora,
Captain Sir John Warren ; Aretnusa, 38, Captain Sir Edward Pellew ;
Diamond, 38, Captain Sir William Sidney Smith ; Artois, 38, Captain
Edmund Nagle ; Diana, 38, Captain Jonathan Faulknor (2) ; and
Santa Margarita, 36, Captain Eliab Harvey, discovered the French
frigate Volontaire, 36, Captain Papin, off Brest, and compelled her
to anchor off the Penmarcks.3 There she was vigorously attacked
by four of the British ships, and, cutting her cables to take up a
better position, was driven ashore. Her pumps could not keep the
water down, and therefore Captain Papin abandoned her. At the
same time the French corvettes Alerte, 12, and Espion, 18, were
driven ashore in Audierne Bay, and boarded by British boats.
Fifty-two French prisoners were brought off, but the vessels, as
they had many wounded on board, could not be destroyed. The
1 James, 231 ; Troude, 381. 2 C.M., 72, June 29th.
3 James, 233 ; Troude, 383 ; Osier, 67.
1794.]
TAKING OF THE "REVOLUTIONNAIRE."
487
Espion was got off by the French1 in the night. The Alerte
was lost.
On September 14th, an amusing incident happened. Captain
Saumarez's squadron of four frigates was sighted off Weymouth,
where at that time was the Eoyal family, and failed to answer the
guardship Trusty's private signal. It was immediately supposed
that the French were making an attempt to carry off the King, and
the troops at Weymouth stood to arms, the batteries were manned,
and carriages for the Eoyal household were got ready. The mis-
understanding was, however, cleared up after dark, when Saumarez
entered the road.
On October 21st, the Arethusa, Artois, Diamond,2 and Galatea,
32, Captain Richard Goodwin Keats, off Ushant, saw and chased a
French frigate, the Revolutionnaire, 44, Captain H. A. TheVenard.
The French ship was with some difficulty cut off from the land and
brought to action by the Artois, 38, Captain Edmund Nagle, which
had outsailed the other British ships. A warm action of forty
minutes' duration followed before the Diamond came up astern of
the Frenchman, though Smith would not spoil the Artois' game by
firing. Then, after a gallant and creditable defence in the face of
a greatly superior force, Captain Thevenard struck his colours, as
his men would no longer fight the ship. He was but just out from
port with a raw crew.
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Men. | Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Artois .
996 ' 44
Lbs.
370
281 n.
3
5
8
RKi'olutionnaire
1148 44
403
351
8
5
13
40 minutes.
Captain Nagle was knighted, and his capture purchased for the
Navy.
On October 22nd, whilst cruising off Mauritius, the Centurion, 50,
Captain Samuel Osborn, and Diomede, 44, Captain Matthew Smith (1) ,3
saw and chased four French ships, the Cybele, 40, Captain Trehouart ;
Prudente, 36, Commodore 4 Jean Marie Benaud ; Jean Bart, 20, and
1 The Es/iion was finally taken, however, by the Lively, in 1795.
2 For guns and Captains see above p. 486. James, 235 ; Troude, 384 ; Osier, 68.
3 James, 236 ; Troude, 370.
4 Chef de division.
488
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1795.
Courier, 14, which had put to sea with the express purpose of fighting
the British squadron. The Centurion and Diomede placed themselves
opposite the French frigates and opened action at about 3.30 P.M.
The Centurion was soon so much cut up in her rigging that she
dropped behind, and the Prudente, leaving the French line, was
able to get away from her. The Cybele, passing the Centurion,
brought down the latter's mizen and foretopgallant-mast, but, on
the wind dropping, was engaged by the powerful British ship and
roughly handled. The Diomede did little or nothing, except fire
from a distance at the French. Soon after five the wind again
freshened, and the Cybele got away with her maiiitopgallant-mast
gone. Though both British ships pursued her they could not prevent
the Prudente from taking her in tow, and with her escaping.
—
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Lbs.
I Centurion
1044 54
462
345 n.
3
24
27
\Diomede .
891 54
408
297 n.
0
0
0
! Prudente.
897 40
280
300 n.
15
20
35
Cybele .
44
410
330 n.
22
62
84
Jean Bart
— 20
?
?
1
5
6
Courier .
14
f\
?
0
0
0
Captain Smith for his behaviour was court-martialled and dis-
missed the service, but the sentence was quashed in 1798. He
retired, however, in 1806.
On December 22nd, the Daphne, 20, Captain William Edward
Cracraft, was captured by Admiral Villaret's fleet in the Bay. She
made no resistance.
On December 30th, the boats of the Blanche, 32, Captain Eobert
Faulknor (3), cut out a French armed schooner at Desirade, Guade-
loupe, with the loss of only six men.1
On January 5th, 1795, the Blanche, 32, whilst cruising off
Guadeloupe, encountered the French Pique, 36, Captain Conseil.2
The action began soon after midnight, when the Blanche passed the
Pique on the opposite tack, exchanging broadsides with her. Then,
as the Blanche tacked and came up in the wake of the Pique, the
French ship, having the weather gage, wore to rake her ; but Captain
Eobert Faulknor (3) was able to defeat the manceuvre by also
1 James, 308.
2 II. 309 ; Troude, 439 ; Brenton, i. 247 ; ' Nav. Chron.,' 16, 40.
1795.]
THE "BLANGHE" AND THE "PIQUE."
489
wearing. The ships fought broadside to broadside till 2.30 A.M.,
when the Blanche shot ahead. At that moment, just as the Blanche
was preparing to rake the Pique, the Blanche's mizen and main-
masts fell, and the Pique ran foul of her, receiving a terrible raking
fire. An attempt on the part of the French to board was repulsed
with heavy loss. At about 3 A.M. the heroic Captain Faulknor was
shot dead as he was endeavouring to lash the Pique's bowsprit to the
CAPTAIN ROBERT FAULKNOR (3), B.N.
Killed in command of H.M.S. Blanche, Jan., 1795.
(From the portrait by BToK.)
Blanche. The lashing parted, and the two ships first drifted clear
of each other, and then fouled again, the Pique falling on the
Blanche's starboard quarter. The Pique's bowsprit was promptly
lashed to the stump of the Blanche's mainmast. It was at that time
that the top-fire of the Pique's sharpshooters began to trouble the
Blanche's seamen, whilst the British frigate, having no stern ports
on her main deck, could not bring her guns to bear astern on
490
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1795
the Frenchman. In this difficulty it was decided to make ports
in the ship's stern, by the simple expedient of firing two shotted
12-prs. through it, leaving firemen with buckets of water to put out
the flames caused by such an heroic measure. The 12-prs. there-
after maintained a most effective fire, until the Pique was dismasted ;
but she did not strike for another two hours. At 5.15 A.M., she
hauled down her flag. She had fought most gallantly, and had lost
more than two-thirds of her crew.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed. Wounded.
Total.
Blanche .
710
38
Lbs.
228
198
8 21
29
Pique .
906
38
273
279
76 110
186
5 hours.
The Pique was purchased for the British Navy.
On January 8th, the French Esperance, 22, was captured off the
Chesapeake by the British Argonaut, 64, and Oiseau, 36. * On
February 20th, the Eequin, 12, was taken off Dunkirk by the British
Thalia.
On March 2nd, the British Lively, 32, Commander George
Burlton (actg. Captain),2 captured the French corvette Espion, 18,
Captain Magendie, off Brest, after a two hours' action.3
On March 13th, the Lively, 32, Commander George Burlton
(actg. Captain), sighted the French Tourterelle, 28, Captain G. S. A.
Montalan, in the Channel.4 The French vessel did not decline the
unequal battle, but stood to meet the Lively. Both opened fire
soon after 10 A.M., when Captain Montalan, discovering the great
superiority of his opponent, turned and attempted to retreat. In this
he was unsuccessful, and the Lively closing the Tourterelle fought
her till she struck at 1.30 P.M., in a very shattered state. The
Tourterelle carried a furnace for heating shot, and had made use of
it against the Lively, burning the latter's sails badly. The furnace
was thrown overboard just before the French flag was lowered. At
that time the use of hot shot was, perhaps rather foolishly, con-
sidered a breach of the tacit conventions of war.
1 Troude, 441.
2 The Lively's Captain, Lord Garlics, was sick on shore at the time.
3 Troude, 441.
4 James, 313 ; Troude, 4-15, dates the action May 15th, an evident mistake.
1795.]
CAPTURE OF THE "GLOIHE."
491
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed. ' Wounded.
Total.
Lively
806
38
Lbs.
324
251
0
2
2
Tourterelle .
581
30
188
230
16
25
41
On March 25th, the French Coureuse, 18, was captured by a
squadron of British frigates off Lorient,1 and the Jean Bart, 18, on
her way from the West Indies to France, was taken by the British
ships Santa Margarita and Cerberus.
On April 10th, a British fleet under Rear-Admiral John Colpoys
was cruising off Brest, when three sail were seen.2 The fleet scattered
in chase, and the Astrcea, 32, Captain Lord Henry Paulet, outsailing
the ships of the line, came up with one of the three, the French
Gloire, 36, Captain Beens. The action between the two opened at
6 P.M. At 10.30 the Astrcea closed her adversary, and after an hour's
fight made her strike her flag. The Astraa's maintop-mast went
overboard just after the close of the action, and her other topmasts
were so wounded that they had to be removed.
—
Tons. Guns.
Broadside.
Men
Killed. Wounded. ! Total.
Astrcea .
703
32 '
Lbs.
174
212
0 8
8
Gloire . .
877
42
286
275
9
0
40
4£ hours.
1 James gives her no carronades; but this must be doubtful. Possibly eight 18's should be added to her
battery.
The Gloire was purchased for the Navy, but did not long remain
in the service. Of the other French vessels, the Gentille, 36, Captain
Canon, was taken on the llth by the Hannibal, 74. The third
escaped. The easy capture of the Gloire should probably be ascribed
to the presence of one or two British ships of the line at no great
distance.
On May 1st, the Boyne, 98, Captain the Hon. George Grey, took
fire at Spithead, and blew up. All her crew, except eleven men, were
saved, but her shotted guns, discharged by the heat, killed or
wounded three men in the fleet.3
Troude, 442-3.
2 James, 315 ; Troude, 443.
3 C.M., vol. 72, May 19th.
492 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1795.
On May 9th, Captain Sir Bichard John Strachan, in the Melampus,
36, with the frigates Diamond, Hebe, Niger, and Siren, whilst at
anchor off Jersey, saw a French convoy running along the enemy's
coast.1 Giving chase, he drove the convoy into Carteret Bay, where
the boats of his squadron attacked it and captured or burnt every
vessel but one, with the loss of two killed and seventeen wounded.
On May 15th, the French corvette Hirondelle, 18, was attacked
in the Bay of Frenay, near St. Malo, by a British squadron, but,
being supported by the fire of a small fort, repulsed the ships.2
On May 17th, the Thetis, 36, Captain the Hon. Alexander Forester
Inglis Cochrane, and Hussar, 28, Captain John Poor Beresford,
captured off Cape Henry two large French storeships of a squadron
of five.3 The names of the prizes were the Prevoyante and Eaison.
The British loss was eleven wounded. On the 28th, the Thorn, 16,
Commander Eobert Waller Otway, captured the French corvette,
Courier National, 18, in the West Indies, with a loss of six wounded ;
the French ship having seven killed and twenty wounded.4 On the
28th, the French corvette Prompte, 28, was captured ; and, on the
30th, the French Liberte, 20, was attacked and sunk off San Domingo
by the Alarm, 32, Captain David Milne5 (actg.).
In June, almost at the same time, the Admirals commanding
the French and British fleets in the Mediterranean despatched each
two frigates to ascertain one another's movements.6 The British
pair were the Dido, 28, Captain George Henry Towry, and Lowestoft,
32, Captain Kobert Gambier Middleton ; the French, the Minerve, 40,
Captain Delorme, and Artemise, 36, Captain Decasse. The enemies
sighted each other to the north of Minorca on June 24th, early in
the morning. The French retired, and meanwhile cleared for action.
Having first drawn far ahead, they turned and stood to meet the
Dido and Lowestoft. The Minerve was in advance, and engaged the
Dido at 8.30 A.M. The Minerve attempted to run down her opponent,
but, owing to the Dido porting her helm, only struck an oblique
blow, and entangled her bowsprit in her enemy's rigging. The
French endeavoured to board, but were beaten off, and in the heavy
swell the Minerve 's bowsprit snapped and went overboard carrying
1 James, 318. 2 Troude, 445. 3 James, 319.
4 Marshall, ' Naval Biography,' i. 693.
5 Captain Milne was posted on Oct. 2nd following. Troude, 447 ; Alarm's log
missing. According to the List Book, the British Captain was (the Hon.) Charles
Carpenter ; (but this is an error. ' Nav. Chron.' xxxix., App. — \V. L. C.)
6 James, 321 ; Troude, 448.
1795.]
CAPTURE OF THE "ALLIANTIE."
493
with it the Dido's mizen-niast. The Minerve passed along the Dido's
larboard side, carrying away sails and rigging, but, as soon as she
was clear, was attacked by the Lowestoft, and had her foremast,
main and mizentop-mast shot away. The Artemise, instead of
helping her consort, only fired a broadside at each of the British
ships, and retreated, pursued by the Lowestoft. Left to themselves,
the Minerve and Dido repaired damage and cleared their decks. At
10.30 the Lowestoft was recalled by signal. At 11.30 she placed
herself on the Minerve s quarter and opened a heavy fire, whilst the
Dido made sail to renew the attack. At 11.45 the Minerve hailed to
say that she surrendered. The action reflects great credit upon the
senior British officer, Captain Towry,1 who had so boldly engaged a
far superior force.
T.ms.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Drowned
and Killed.
Wounded. Total.
Lbs.
(Dido ... 595
32
156
193
6
15
21
\Lowestoft . '. 717
36
210
212
0
3
3
(Minerve . . ' 1102
42
370
318
?
?
28
{Artemise .
40
283
300 n.
?
?
?
3J hours.
The Artemise 's captain was tried by jury for his conduct, but
acquitted. The Minerve was purchased for the Navy.
On August 22nd, the British ships Isis, 50, Captain Robert
Watson ; Reunion, 36, Captain James Alms (2) ; Stag, 32, Captain
Joseph Sydney Yorke ; and Vestal, 28, Captain Charles White,
captured the Dutch frigate Alliantie, 36, after an hour's fight.2
The Dutch vessels Argo, 36, and Vlugheid, 16, which were with
her, escaped into the Norwegian harbour of Egero. The British
loss was 5 killed and 17 wounded. The Argo lost 2 killed and
15 wounded. The Alliantie' s 3 loss is unknown.
On August 31st, the two French corvettes, Suffisante, 14, and
Victorieuse, 14, were captured off the Texel by Admiral Duncan's
squadron.4 They were on a cruise against the British whale
fisheries.
On September 2nd, the Diamond, 38, Captain Sir William
1 After serving as a Commissioner of the Navy, Captain George Henry Towry died
in 1809.
2 James, 324 ; Log of Stag.
* Brenton, i. 92 ; Troude, ii. 453.
Added to the Navy as Alliance.
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1795-6.
Sidney Smith, chased and drove on the rocks of the Breton coast
the French AssembUe Nationale, 14.
On September 29th, the Southampton, 32, Captain James Mac-
namara (2), cruising off Genoa, chased the French vessels Vestale,
36, Captain Foucaud, Brune, 24, Alceste, 14, and Scout, 14. 1
Selecting the Vestale as his quarry, Captain Macnamara opened
on her at 10 P.M., and maintained a running action with her whilst
she crowded all sail to get away. At about 10.30 the Southampton's
rigging was so damaged that she fell astern, but she effected repairs
and came up again at about 11, only to lose her mizen-mast. Profiting
by this incident, the Vestale escaped, but was chased in the course
of the night by the British sloop Moselle, 18, Commander Charles
Brisbane. The French ships had a convoy under their charge, a
fact which explains their strange conduct in retiring with so superior
force on their side.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Southampton
671
40?
Lbe.
246
217 n.
?
?
9
Vestale
—
40
280 300 n.
8
9
17
£ hour.
On October 1st, the Vanguard, 74, Captain Charles Sawyer,
captured the French Superbe, 24, Captain Doudoux, in the West
Indies.2
On October 10th, the Mermaid, 32, Captain Henry Warre,
captured off Grenada the French Brutus, 10, and, four days later,
the French Eepublicaine, 18. The British loss was only 4 ; the
French 20. One of the prizes had a French general and troops
on board, destined for Grenada, where a savage war between the
British, on the one hand, and the French and Caribs, on the other,
was then raging.
On March 10th, 1796, the Bonne Citoyenne, 20, Captain La
Bourdonnais, was chased by three British frigates, and captured
in the Bay by the Phaeton, 38, after the exchange of a few shots.3
The Bonne Citoyenne was one of Bear-Admiral Sercey's squadron
on her way to Mauritius. On the same day the French cutter,
1 James, 325 ; Marshall, i. 636 ; Troude, 454 ; Log of Southampton.
2 James, 328 ; Troude, 455.
3 James, 387 ; Troude, iii. 21.
1796.] BRITISH FRIGATES AND A CONVOY. 495
Aspic, was captured in St. George's Channel by the Quebec, 32.
The French brig, Mutine, fell to the British frigates in the Bay
a few days later.
On March 18th, Captain Sir William Sidney Smith in the
Diamond, 38, with the Liberty, 14, Lieutenant George M'Kinley,
and Aristocrat, Lieutenant Abraham Gossett, made a dash at a
French corvette and some smaller vessels lying in the Breton port
of Erqui.1 Three guns, mounted in commanding positions on the
cliffs, were stormed by a party of seamen and Marines. The French
corvette, Etourdie, 16, four brigs, two sloops, and a lugger were
then set on fire and destroyed. In this dashing operation the
British loss was only 2 killed and 7— amongst whom were two
Lieutenants — wounded .
On March 20th, off Pointe du Eaz, the British frigates, Pomone,
40, Captain Sir John Borlase Warren ; Anson, 44, Captain Philip
Charles Durham ; Artois, 38, Captain Sir Edmund Nagle, and
Galatea, 32, Captain Eichard Goodwin Keats, saw and chased a
large French convoy under the charge of the frigates Proserpine, 40,
Unite, Coquille, and Tamise, all of 36, and the corvette Cigogne, 20. 2
After taking several prizes from the convoy, the British squadron
passed the French on the opposite tack, exchanging fire. The
Galatea was roughly handled. Tacking, the British stood after the
French, who steered for Pointe du Eaz and Brest, whither they
succeeded in effecting their escape. A French armed storeship, the
Etoile, 28, was, however, added to the list of British prizes. The
force of the British was superior in this affair, and it is not obvious
why the French escaped so easily. Warren, the British senior
officer, absurdly exaggerated the strength of his enemy in his report
of the business. Of the convoy six ships in all were taken. The
British loss was 2 killed and 6 wounded.
On April 12th, Sir Edward Pellew's squadron of five frigates,
whilst cruising off Brest, saw and chased the French Unite, 36,
Captain C. A. L. Durand Linois.3 The British Eevolutionnaire, 38,
Captain Francis Cole, closed her late in the evening at 11.30, and
called upon Captain Linois to surrender to such a superior force.
1 James, 355 ; Troude, 22.
2 James, 356 ; Troude, 24.
3 Osier, ' Lord Exmouth,' 80 ; James, 357. Troude, 23, calls the French ship the
Variante, Capt. Durand, and gives the date as the llth. Pellew in a letter to the
Admiralty speaks of her as " V Unite alias la Variante." The Log of the Revolutiun-
naire fixes the date as the 12th.
496
MINOR OPESATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1796.
Linois refused, and a hot action began. The French crew, how-
ever, composed mostly of conscripts and not of seamen, fought
badly. Thirty men fled below and pretended that they were
wounded. Eighteen Vendeens refused to fight. Captain Linois, in
these circumstances, struck at 11.50, just as the British Concorde, 36,
came up. The R&volutionnaire by herself was far more than a
match for the Unite in weight of metal, as she carried, besides
her thirty-eight guns, eight 32-pr. carronades. Captain Linois
had several passengers on board, who were transferred to a neutral
ship by Sir E. Pellew.
Tons.
Guns.
liroailsiile.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Revolutionnaire 1 148
46
Lbs.
425
287
0
0
0
Unite ... 893
38
240
255
9
11
20
20 minutes.
On April 17th, Captain Sir William Sidney Smith of the Dia-
mond, 38, was captured.1 He led a boat attack upon a privateer,
the Vengeur, at Havre, and carried her. The privateersmen, how-
ever, had cut their cable, and, as the tide was rising, the Vengeur
was swept up the river, two miles above Havre. Smith attempted
to escape with the boats, but, as there were French ships on the
move at the river's mouth, that was impossible. The intrepid officer
and his men had not long to wait before they were attacked. They
were surrounded by small craft and compelled to surrender with
the loss of 4 killed and 7 wounded. Smith and Midshipman John
Wesley Wright were considered state prisoners and shut up in the
Temple. They escaped, however, in May, 1798.
On April 20th, the French corvette Unite, 24, was carried off
from the neutral harbour of Bona by the British frigate Incon-
stant, 36, Captain Thomas Francis Fremantle.2 The Unite offered
no resistance. She was purchased for the Navy and renamed
Surprise.
On the same day Sir Edward Pellew, in the Indefatigable, 44, with
the Amazon, 36, Captain Robert Carthew Reynolds, and Concorde, 36,
Captain Anthony Hunt (2), sighted the French Virginie, 40, Captain
1 James, 359 ; Troude, 28.
2 Troude, 28 ; Sohomberg, ii. 431 ; James, ii. 405. Log of Inconstant gives the
Unite 34 guns and 318 men.
1T9G.] CAPTURE OF THE "VIRGINIE." 497
Bergeret, off the Lizard.1 The three British ships at once crowded
all sail and stood after the enemy. The wind was south-east, and
prevented the Virginie from retreating to Brest. After a fifteen
hours' chase the Indefatigable got close enough to begin a running
fight. At about midnight the action commenced. After an hour and
three-quarters' firing the Virginie lost her mizen-mast and main-
top-mast, and the Indefatigable her mizen-topmast and gaff. By
reason of these injuries the British ship shot ahead and was all
but raked. She was repairing damages when the Concorde came
up astern of the Virginie, whereupon the latter struck in a very
crippled condition, with four feet of water in her hold. The
Virginie had been bravely fought against a very superior force.
—
Tons.
Guiis.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Indefatigable
1384
46
Lbi.
702
327
0
0
0
Virginie .
1066
44
342
339
15
27
42
1 hour 45 minutes.
The presence of the Concorde and Amazon at the close of the
action must also be taken into account. The Virginie was purchased
for the Navy.
On April 27th, the British frigate Niger, 32, Captain Edward
James Foote, drove the French armed lugger, Ecureuil, ashore on
the Penmarck rocks.2 After cannonading her, Captain Foote sent
in his boats, which, in spite of a desperate resistance on the part
of the French, burnt her. The British loss was seven wounded.
On April 21st, the French corvette Percante, 26, Captain
Tourtelet, was chased ashore on the San Domingo coast by the
British Irresistible, 74, a frigate, and two smaller vessels.3
On May 4th, the Spencer, 16, Commander Andrew Fitzherbert
Evans, brought the French gun-brig Volcan, 12, to action, after a
long chase, south of Bermuda.4 The Spencer was armed almost
entirely with carronades, having only two long guns. Her broad-
side threw 88 Ibs., against the French vessel's 26 Ibs. The Volcan,
before she struck, had her topmasts shot away, and lost many
men, some of whom were killed by the explosion of hand-grenades
which had been prepared by her crew for use against the British
1 James, 361 ; Troude, 29 ; Log of Indefatigable. 3 Troude, 32.
2 James, 362. * James, 363 ; Troude, 33.
VOL. IV. 2 K
498
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1796.
sloop. The Spencer sustained a loss of one killed and one wounded,
and much injury to her rigging. Three of her carronades upset in
the action, which lasted for seventy-five minutes.
On May 12th, Admiral Adam Duncan's squadron, cruising off the
Texel, chased the Dutch frigate Argo, 36, three brigs and a cutter.1
The Argo was quickly overhauled by the Phoenix, 36, Captain
Lawrence William Halsted, and brought to action, when, after
twenty minutes' fighting, seeing British ships on all sides of her,
the Dutchman struck. Two of the Dutch brigs were chased on
shore ; the third was captured, and the cutter shared her fate on
May 13th. The Argo was purchased for the Navy, and renamed
Juno, there being already an Argo in the service.
On May 2nd,2 the British Dryad, 36, Captain Lord Amelius
Beauclerk, for whom Commander John King Pulling was acting,
captured the French corvette Abeille.3
On June 8th, the British frigates Santa Margarita, 36, Captain
Thomas Byam Martin, and Unicorn, 32, Captain Thomas Wil-
liams (4), sighted in the Channel the French Tribune, 36, Captain
Jean Moultson, Tamise, 36, Captain J. B. A. Fradin, and Legere, 18,
Lieutenant J. M. M. Carpentier.4 As the British ships approached,
the Legere drew away from her two consorts. A running fight
began at 1 P.M., as the result of which the British vessels suffered
much in their masts and rigging. At 4 P.M., however, the Santa
Margarita closed the Tamise, and fought her broadside to broadside,
whilst the Unicorn continued the pursuit of the Tribune, After
twenty minutes' fighting the Tamise struck.
—
To: 8.
Guns. Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Santa Marga-\
rita. . .(
993
40
Lbs.
250
237
o
3
5
Tamise
656
40
279
306
32
19
51
3 hours 20 minutes.
The Tamise was restored to the Navy under her original name,
Thames.
The Unicorn after a long chase closed the Tribune at 10.30 P.M.,
1 James, 363 ; Schomberg, ii. 421. 2 Log of Dryad.
3 James, 364, gives the capture by the Suffisante, 14, of the French Revanche, 12,
on May 27th, without stating that the letter was a privateer. Troude, 34, omits
this action.
4 James, 365; Troude, 36.
1796.]
CAPTURE OF THE "UTILE."
499
and fought her for thirty-five minutes, when the Frenchman dropped
astern. The Unicorn, backing her sails, followed her adroitly, placed
herself on the Tribune s weather bow, brought down her foremast,
mainmast and mizentop-mast, and compelled her to strike.
—
Tons.
Gone.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Unicorn .
791
44
Lbs.
348
240
0
0
0
Tribune .
916
38
260
339
37
14
51
It is, as James comments, extraordinary that the Unicorn should
have suffered no loss ; and the only conclusion is that the French
gunnery was exceedingly bad. This was the third frigate action
within a few months in which the same phenomenon occurred.
On June 9th, the British Mediterranean fleet was cruising off
Toulon when a French corvette was noticed in Hyeres Eoads.1 Sir
John Jervis, the British Admiral, summoned Captain James Mac-
namara (2) of the Southampton, 32, on board the flagship and pointed
out " this eyesore." Macnamara accepted the hint ; stood in under
easy sail past the French batteries, which took his ship for a neutral,
dashed at the corvette, Utile, 24, boarded and carried her, and then,
taking her in tow, repassed the forts under a heavy fire. Lieutenant
Charles Lydiard, who led the Southampton's boarders, was promoted
by Jervis on the spot to the command of the Utile.2 The British
loss was one killed ; the French, eight killed and seventeen
wounded.
On June llth, the French corvettes Trois Couleurs, 14, and
Betsy,3 18, were taken off Brest by the Amazon, 38, and other
British frigates.4
On June 13th, to the south of Cape Clear, the Dryad, 36,
Captain Lord Amelius Beauclerk, brought the French frigate
Proserpine, 40, Captain Pevrieu, to action at about 8 A.M.5 For an
hour the engagement was a running one. Then the Dryad came
up on the Frenchman's larboard quarter and began a close action.
After forty-five minutes of this the French ship struck. Neither
1 Tucker, ' St. Vincent,' i. 185 ; James, 370; Troude, 38.
2 Lydiard, who was further promoted on Jan. 1st, 1801, to the rank of Captain, was
drowned in the Anson in 1807. — W. L. 0.
3 The Betsy appears in the prize lists as the Blonde. — W. L. C.
4 Troude, 38 ; Log of Amazon.
6 James, 369 ; Troude, 39 ; Log of Dryad.
2 K 2
500
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1T96.
vessel lost a spar, and neither was much damaged in sails or
rigging.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
^'uunded.
Total.
Dryad
924
44
Lbs.
407
254
2
7
9
Proserpine .
1059
42
366
346
30
45
75
1J hours.
ADMIRAL SIR HENRY THOLLOPE (1), KT.
(From H. B. Cook's engraving, after the portrait l>y Bowijer, painted when Sir Henri/ "'as a
rice-Admiral, ]805-1812.)
The Proserpine was purchased for the Navy and re-named Amelia.
On June 22nd, the French corvette Legere, 18, was captured off
Brest by the British frigates Apollo, 38, and Doris, 36. *
On July 12th, the French frigate Eenommee, 36, Captain Pitot,
was overtaken by the British Alfred, 74, Captain Thomas Drury, off
1 James, 370.
1796.]
THE "GLATTON" AND FRENCH FRIGATES.
501
San Domingo.1 Two broadsides from the Alfred disabled the French
frigate, several shots striking the latter below the water-line, and
flooding the magazines in a moment.
Late in the evening of July 15th, the Glatton, 56, with twenty-
eight 68-pr. caiTonades on her lower deck, and as many 32-pr.
carronades on her upper deck, under Captain Henry Trollope, met
a French squadron of seven or eight ships in the North Sea. These
were probably the Brutus,2 46 or 50, Incorruptible, 38, Rassurante, 36,
lUpublicaine, 28, and four small corvettes. The French formed in
line ahead. The Glatton stood past the small ships and attacked the
largest of her enemies. Two of the other French frigates hung
about her, but all three were very roughly handled and beaten off.
The Glatton, however, was so wounded in her masts and rigging,
at which the enemy fired, and was withal so slow a sailer, that she
could not take possession of any of her opponents. It is astonishing
to record that only two men were wounded in her. Her 68-pr.
carronades were very effective at close quarters, but she had not
enough men to fight both broadsides at once. It is said that one
of the French ships foundered on the squadron taking refuge in
Flushing, whither it was chased by the Glatton.
On July 22nd, off Guadeloupe, the British Aimable, 32, Captain
Jemmett Mainwaring, chased the French Pensee, 36, Captain
Valteau.3 After exchanging fire in the evening, the Pensee fled
and drew ahead during the night. At about 7 A.M., however, she
shortened sail ; the Aimable closed ; and the two captains saluted
one another. Then, as the Pensee was again retreating, the Aimable
bore up at about 8.40 A.M. and fired into her, but, after a running
engagement, dropped astern out of range.
—
Tons.
Guns. Broadside
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Aimable . . 782
40
I.bs.
216
217 n.
0
2
2
Pensee
40'
280'
300 n.
?
?
1)0?
1 Troude, 43, forty-two gnn-s 320-lb. broadside.
On August 8th, in the same waters, the Mermaid, 32, Captain
1 Troude, 41.
2 James, 372. Troude, 41, does not mention the Brutus. The Olatton's carronades
appear to have been mounted on the non-recoil principle.
3 James, 377.
502
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1796.
Eobert Waller Otway, engaged the French Vengeance, 40, at
11.50 A.M.1 A prolonged but indecisive action followed, until, on
the British Beaulieu, 40, Captain Francis Laforey, coming up, the
Vengeance retired, under shelter of the Basseterre batteries. The
French ship sustained most of her loss when twice missing stays.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Hroadside.
MCD.
Killed.
Wound* d.
Total.
Mermaid .
689
40
I.bs.
246
217 n.
0
0
0
Vengeance
1180
44 '
410
330 n.
12
26
38
i James says fifty-two.
On August 22nd, Commodore Sir John Borlase Warren's squadron
of four frigates and a sloop, cruising off the mouth of the Gironde,
chased the French frigate Andromaque, 36. 2 She was cut off from
the Gironde by the Galatea, 32, Captain Eichard Goodwin Keats,
and Sylph, 18, Commander John Chambers White, and, after she
had several times been lost sight of through the darkness of the
night, was driven ashore on the morning of the 23rd. The Sylph
proceeded to fire into her bottom, and in the afternoon sent in her
boats and burnt her.
On August 25th, the Baison, 20, Captain John Poo Beresford,
was chased by the French Vengeance, 40, to the west of the Gulf
of Maine.3 The British vessel, however, after a running action of
two hours, escaped from her powerful antagonist with the loss of
three killed and six wounded, whilst the French lost six killed and
an unknown number of wounded. The Baison was helped in her
escape by the very foggy weather.
On August 28th, the French Elisabeth, 36, was captured by the
Topaze, 36, Captain Stephen George Church, off Cape Henry, after
a broadside had been exchanged.4 A large British squadron was
coming up behind the Topaze.
On September 9th, off the coast of Sumatra, Bear- Admiral
Sercey's squadron, composed of the Forte and Begeneree, 38, Vertu
and Cybele, 36, Prudente, 32, and the armed ship Seine, was attacked
by the Arrogant, 74, Captain Eichard Lucas, and Victorious, 74,
Captain William Clark (1), which had been following since the
1 James, 379 ; Ealfe, ' Naval Biography,' iv. 7.
2 James, 383.
3 James, 384.
4 Ib., 385 ; Troude, 43.
1796.]
THE "PELICAN" AND THE "MEDEE."
503
previous day.1 The enemies passed on opposite tacks, exchanging
fire, but the Arrogant was very soon so much damaged in her rigging
that she fell behind and ceased firing, having, however, almost
crippled the Vertu. Four of the British ship's guns were disabled
or dismounted. The Victorious continued the action, but without
great success. She was out-manoeuvred by the French frigates,
which kept as far as possible outside the field of fire commanded
by her broadside, and attempted to rake her. Sercey retired at 10.55,
and at 11.15 A.M. the Victorious ceased her fire.
Tons.
(JUUS.
Br. ii.Ni.li>.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
British .
—
164
I,bs.
1676
1200?
24
84
108
French1 . ,
—
220?
1700?
1400?
42
104
146
1 The Seine's armament being uncertain, a minimum cf force has been a'lowed her.
Sercey appears to have had the undoubted advantage, and this
though he was engaging ships of the line with stouter sides than
his frigates. His orders to avoid fighting and attack commerce
probably prevented him from obtaining a more significant success.
On September 22nd, the Amphion, 32, Captain Israel Pellew,
blew up at Plymouth from some unexplained cause. Captain
Pellew was saved, with ten out of 312 officers and men or visitors
on board.
On September 23rd, the Pelican, 18,2 Captain John Clarke Searle,3
attacked the French Medee, 36, in the West Indies, and fought
with her a close action of two hours' duration, when the Frenchman
retired. The Pelican was so cut up that she could not pursue.
After such an astounding action the value of the carronade, in
certain cases, seems self-evident.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Mm. Killed.
Woui.ded. Toial.
Pelican .
—
18
Lbs.
262
97 -
1 1
Malee
—
40
410
300 n. ?
? 33
2 hours.
1 James, 391 ; Troude, 18 ; Chevalier, ' La Mar. Fran?, sous la Republique,' 245.
2 James, 396, sixteen 32-pr. carronades, two long 6's.
3 Searle had been posted on the previous 13th of July, but still retained his
Commander's command.
504
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1796.
It appears that the Medee's captain imagined that the Pelican was a
frigate " with her mizen-mast out."
On October 13th, off Cartagena, the Terpsichore, 32, Captain
Richard Bowen, with a weak and sickly crew, engaged the Spanish
Mahonesa, 34, Captain Don T. Ayaldi.1 After a two hours' warm
action the Terpsichore dropped astern with serious injuries to masts
and rigging. Befitting in twenty minutes, she came up again, when
the Mahonesa struck her colours.
Tons. Gnus.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wonnded.
Total.
Terpsichore . 682
40
Lta.
276
182
0
4
4
Mahonesa . 921
34?
180?
275
30
30
60
120 minutes.
The TerpsicJwre had her three masts wounded, and shots
through her spars and boats : otherwise she was little the worse.
The Mahonesa was added to the Navy.
On November 25th, the Lapwing, 28, Captain Robert Barton,
was summoned from St. Kitts to the aid of Anguilla, in the West
Indies, where a French force had disembarked.2 She arrived on the
26th, and immediately the French re-embarked in the Decius, 20,
and Vaillante, 10 ; but the Decius was captured after an hour's
action, in which she lost 120 killed and wounded out of 336 on
board. The Lapwing had one killed and six wounded. The
Vaillante, to avoid capture, ran ashore, and was destroyed by the
Lapiving's guns.
On December 12th, the Terpsichore, Captain Eichard Bowen,
chased the French Vestale, 36, Captain Fourcaud, off Cadiz.3 On
the 13th the Frenchman hove to, and waited for the Terpsichore,
which came up at 11.30 P.M. and began a hot action in stormy
weather. At 1.20 A.M. the Vestale, with all her masts and her
bowsprit tottering, struck. Her mizenmast fell just after her
surrender ; and, before the British boats could reach her, her main-
mast, foremast and bowsprit followed.
1 James, 399 ; Log of Terpsichore.
2 James, 401.
8 James, 402 ; Troude, 45 ; Chevalier, ' Mar. Frauf. sous la Republique,' 261 ; Log
of Terpsichore.
1796.]
NELSON AND SPANISH FRIGATES.
505
Tons. Gnus.
Kroadsi !e.
Men. Killed.
\VomideJ.
Total.
Terpsichore .
682 40
I.bs.
276
1
166 4
18
22
Vestale . .
40
286
300? ! 30
37
67
1 hour 40 minutes.
The high sea and strong wind prevented the Terpsichore from
placing an adequate crew on board the prize, or transferring the
prisoners, and, on the 14th, the Vestale's men rose on the British
party, recaptured the ship, and reached Cadiz. For this action the
gallant Bowen received no warm commendation from Sir John
Jervis, and no reward from the country. The merchants of London
gave him, however, a piece of plate.
On December 19th, Commodore Horatio Nelson in the Minerve,
38, Captain George Cockburn, with the Blanche, 32, Captain d'Arcy
Preston, fell in with two Spanish frigates, Sabina, 40, Captain Don
Jacob Steuart, and Ceres, 40, off Cartagena. At 10.40 the Minerve
engaged the Sabina.1 In fifty minutes the Spanish ship's rnizen-
mast went overboard, and at 1.20 A.M. she struck.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Minerve .
1102
42
I.bs.
370
286
7
34
41
Sabina
—
40
300
286
?
y
164
2 hours 40 minutes.
Lieutenants John Culverhouse and Thomas Masterman Hardy,
with a prize crew, were placed on board the Sabina; but at 4 A.M. of
the 20th the Minerve had to cast off the tow-rope and engage a second
Spanish frigate, the Matilda, 34, which she drove off with the loss of
ten wounded. As a Spanish 112-gun ship and two more frigates were
coming up, the Minerve was then obliged to look to her own safety.
She owed her escape to the fact that Hardy and Culverhouse hoisted
the British colours above the Spanish in the Sabina, and thereby
drew off the enemy's attention. The Sabina was recaptured.
The Blanche meanwhile engaged the Ceres and quickly brought
her colours down, but could not take possession owing to the arrival
1 Nicolas, ' Nelson,' ii. 312 ; James, 406.
506 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1796-7.
of the other Spanish ships. The Blanche lost no one ; the Ceres,
seven killed and fifteen wounded.
On December 30th, the Polyphemus, 64, Captain George Lurns-
daine, captured the French Tartu,1 40, after a running fight of four
hours.2 The Tartu had formed part of the ill-fated expedition to
Ireland. She was purchased for the Navy, in which she figured
under her old name, Urania.
On January 28th, 1797, five large East Indianien, under Charles
Lennox, master of the Woodford, met Bear-Admiral Sercey's
squadron of six French frigates off Java.3 Lennox, with remark-
able judgment, hoisted a British admiral's flag and made signals,
so that the French, convinced that they saw before them Bear-
Admiral Peter Bainier's squadron, were only too pleased to retire.
On January 31st, an Algerine corsair of twenty-four guns, mistook
the British Andromache, 32, Captain Charles John Moore Mansfield,
cruising on the Mediterranean station, for a Portuguese frigate, and
found that she had caught a tartar.1 The Algerine lost sixty-six
killed and fifty wounded, to the Andromache 's two killed and four
wounded, and struck her colours.
On February 22nd, the French vessels Resistance and Vengeance,
40, Constance, 22, and Vautour, lugger, landed in Fisgard5 Bay,
Pembroke, a nondescript force of 1500 criminals, armed and
dressed as soldiers. The instructions to the French captains
were to destroy Bristol and then attack Liverpool, but their hearts
failed them. The criminals were captured with ridiculous ease by
Welsh yeomanry, militia, and fencibles.
On March 9th, the British frigates San Fiorenzo, 36, Captain Sir
Harry Burrard Neale, and Nymphe, 36, Captain John Cooke (2),
discovered two of the French ships engaged in this expedition,
the Resistance, 40, Captain J. B. M. Laroque, and Constance, 22,
Captain Purcliet, approaching Brest. The British frigates at once
bore down, though the Brest fleet of twenty sail could be made
out from the masthead, and attacked. The Resistance struck after
twenty minutes' fight. She had lost her rudder and steered badly.
1 Or Tortue. See p. 481, antea.
2 James, ii. 11, gives the date as Jan. 5th, 1797. Log of Polyphemus : which ship
had one wounded.
* James, ii. 89.
4 lb., 90. Log of Andromache.
6 Guillon, ' France et PIrlande,' 297. The name is now spelt Fishguard. Barras,
Memoires,' ii. 345.
1797.] DESTRUCTION OF THE "CALLIOPE." 507
The Constance offered a stouter resistance, but ended by hauling
down her flag ten minutes later. The British Robust, 74, and
Triton, 28, came in sight at the close of the action. The British
ships suffered no loss. The French had eighteen killed and fifteen
wounded. The Resistance mounted 48 guns and measured 1182 tons.
She was purchased for the Navy and renamed the Fishguard, after
the place where she had landed the invading force.1
On April 26th, the British Irresistible, 74, Captain George
Martin (2), and Emerald, 36, Captain Velters Cornwall Berkeley,
forming part of the squadron blockading Cadiz, chased the Spanish
frigates, Ninfa, 34, and Santa Elena, 34,2 into Conil Bay, near
Cadiz, attacked them at 2.30 P.M., and compelled them to strike
ninety minutes later. The Santa Elena, however, after striking,
cut her cable and went ashore, when her crew escaped. She sank
after being got off. The Ninfa, purchased for the Navy, was re-
named the Hamadryad. The Spanish loss was eighteen killed and
thirty wounded ; the British, one killed and one wounded. The
Spanish frigates had treasure on board, but unloaded it into fishing-
boats, and despatched it ashore before they were attacked.
On July 16th, Sir John Borlase Warren's frigate squadron,
composed of the Pomone, 40, Anson, 44, Artois, 38, Sylph, 18,3
and a cutter, chased a French convoy in charge of the Calliope, 28,
and two corvettes. The corvettes escaped into Audierne Bay, but
the Calliope was driven upon the Penmarcks early on the 17th. To
prevent the French crew from removing her stores and guns, she
was cannonaded, first by the Anson and then at close quarters by
the Sylph. The Calliope went to pieces on the 18th. The loss of
the Sylph in her gallant attack was six wounded.
On August 10th, the Arethusa, 38, Captain Thomas Wolley,
cruising in the latitude of the Bermudas, fell in with the French
corvette Gaite, 20, Enseigne J. F. Guine.4 The latter did not
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside. Men. Killed. Wounded. Total.
Arethusa . . 938
Gaite. . . 514
44
20
Lbs.
393? 277 1 3 4
88 18G 2 8 10
30 minutes.
1 James, 91; Troude, 61. 3 James, 95; Troude, 70.
2 James, 93 ; Brenton, i. 494. 4 Troude, iii. 71 ; James, 98.
508 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1797.
attempt to escape, but fought the heavy British frigate for half
an hour and then struck. For his recklessness Guine was court-
martialled and censured.
On August llth, Warren's squadron of three frigates (Pomone,
Jason, and Triton) and one brig-sloop, the Sylph, 18, Commander
John Chambers White, attacked a French convoy, under the charge
of the corvette Reolaise, 20, a gunboat and a lugger.1 The gun-
boat was destroyed and the corvette a good deal cut up, with a
loss to the British ships of three killed and five wounded.
On October 14th, near the Canaries, the French Ranger, 12,
Captain Hullin, was captured by the Indefatigable, 44, Captain Sir
Edward Pellew.2 On the 25th, in the same waters, the same
British ship was mistaken by a French privateer for an East
Indiaman. The capture of the Frenchman was the result. The
vessel proved to be the Hyene, 24, a ship taken from Britain by
the French in 1793, and commissioned as a privateer.
On December 20th, the Phasbe, 36, Captain Eobert Barlow,
gave chase in the Bay to the French Nereide, 36, Captain A.
Canon.3 At 9 P.M. the two were near enough for the Nereide to
open with her stern-chasers, which inflicted much damage on the
Phoebe's masts, sails, and rigging. The Nereide then suddenly
tacked, and the Pluebc shot ahead. The Phoebe, however, tacked
as soon as she could, and seemingly the Nereide tacked again, for
the two passed on opposite courses exchanging fire. Finally, they
closed and fought at three hundred yards for three-quarters of an
hour. The Nereide once fell on board the Phoebe, but the latter
easily got clear. At 10.45 P.M. the French ship struck, being in
a very battered condition.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Phoebe .
926
44
l.bs.
407
261
3
10
13
Nereide .
892
40
278
330
20
55
7
5
If hours.
On December 29th, the British frigate Anson, 44, Captain Philip
Charles Durham, captured without much difficulty the French
1 James, 96 ; Troude, 72.
2 Troude, 73. Log of Indefatigable. Osier, 116.
3 James, 103 ; Troude, 73.
1798.] CHASE OF 1HE "CHARENTE." 509
corvette Daphne, 24, Captain Latreyte.1 The two ships exchanged
broadsides, with the result that the Daphne lost two killed and five
wounded. She was bound for Guadeloupe with dispatches, but
had not been able to get clear of the French coast. She was very
much inferior in force to the Anson.
In January, 1798, the British frigates Sibylle, 38, Captain
Edward Cook, and Fox, 32, Captain Pulteney Malcolm, entered
the bay of Manilla, disguised as French frigates, and succeeded in
making two hundred prisoners and in capturing seven boats.2
On the 22nd, they attacked the Spanish fort of Samboangon in
the Philippines, but after a sharp action were repulsed, with the loss
of four killed and fifteen wounded. Visiting Pullock Harbour on the
31st, two seamen were killed by the natives and nine carried off.
The latter were afterwards restored.
In the same month a number of Swedish merchantmen, freighted
with contraband of war, were seized, though under convoy of a
Swedish warship, and condemned by the British prize-courts— an
act which led to great soreness in Sweden.3 The value of the
property in them was £600,000.
On February 3rd and 4th, the British brig Speedy, 14, Com-
mander Hugh Downman, fought a protracted action with a French
privateer, the Papillon, 14, of very superior metal. She succeeded
in driving her enemy off with the loss of four killed and four
wounded, but, owing to the failure of her ammunition, could not
capture her.
On March 22nd, 1798, the Canada, 74, Captain Sir John Borlase
Warren, Anson, 44, Captain Philip Charles Durham, and Phaeton, 38,
Captain the Hon. Robert Stopford, chased, off the isle of Aix, the
French Charente, 36, Captain A. A. M. Bruillac, with a number of
French political prisoners on board, destined for Cayenne.4 Early
in the morning of the 23rd the Phaeton got within long range of
the Charente, whereupon the latter turned and ran for the Gironde,
exchanging broadsides with the Canada in passing. A little later,
both the Charente and Canada ran aground. The former, after
throwing her guns overboard, escaped up the river to Bordeaux
in a damaged condition. The latter was got off without, much
difficulty a little later.
1 James, 105 ; Troude, 74 ; Murray, ' Durham,' 42, gives the date as the 23rd.
2 James, 237. 3 ' Ann. Register; 1801, p. 36.
4 Troude, 124 ; James, 228.
510
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1798.
On April 23rd, the French gunboat Arrogante, 6, was captured
off Brest by the British frigates Jason and Naiad.
On April 24th, the Pearl, 32, Captain Samuel James Ballard,
found the French frigate Regeneree, 36, at anchor at Factory Island
in the Loss Archipelago, on the west coast of Africa, and attacked
her.1 On this a second French frigate, the Vertu, 40, came up to
the help of the Regeneree, and the latter weighed, and with her
companion gave chase to the Pearl. The British frigate, though
hotly pursued for twenty-four hours, made good her escape to Sierra
Leone, with one man mortally wounded.
On May 2nd, the Flora, 36, Captain Kobert Gambier Middleton,
captured the French brig Corcyre, 12, off Sardinia.2 On the 13th,
she drove the French brig Mondavi, 18, into Cerigo, where late in
the night her boats boarded and carried off the enemy with the
loss of only one killed and eight wounded.
After the capture of Malta by the French, the frigate Sensible, 36,
Captain Bourde, was sent with dispatches and valuables to Toulon,
and when on her way thither off Marittimo, was chased by the
British Seahorse, 38, Captain Edward James Foote.3 The French
ship turned and ran towards Malta, as she had but a very weak
crew on board and was not properly equipped. In the night of
the 26th-27th, the Seahorse gained upon her, and, after a running
fight, brought her to close action at 4 A.M. Many of the Maltese
galley slaves, who had been placed on board the Sensible, deserted
their guns at the first broadside, and at the end of eight minutes'
action the French captain, having made a vain attempt to board
his enemy, hauled down his flag. He was censured by the French
Directory for not having offered a more stubborn resistance, but, as
a matter of fact, the force opposed to him was very superior, and
he was acquitted with honour by a French court-martial on his
return to Toulon.
Tons.
Guns.
Hroadside. Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Seahorse .
984
46
Lb8.
494
292
2
16
18
Sensible .
946
40
280
300
25
55
80
1 hour?
1 James, 246 ; Troude, 139. 2 James, 250 ; Troude, 131. Log of Flora.
3 James, 234 ; Troude, 134.
1798.]
THE "PIQUE" AND THE "SEINE."
511
The Sensible was purchased for the Navy.
On June 29th, the British frigates Jason, 38, Captain Charles
Stirling (1), Pique, 36, Captain David Milne, and Mermaid, 32,
Captain James Newman Newman, whilst cruising off the Pen-
marcks, sighted the French frigate Seine, 38, Lieutenant J. G.
Bigot, on her. way home from Mauritius,1 with four hundred
soldiers on board, in addition to her crew. She was making
her landfall, but, when she saw the British ships, turned south
for La Kochelle, hotly pursued. The Mermaid and Jason stretched
inshore to cut her off from Lorient. The Pique followed her,
and, at 9 P.M., began a running fight, ranging alongside at 11 P.M.
The two fought broadside to broadside under sail till, two and a
half hours later, the Pique's main top-mast was shot away. Then
the Jason came up, and Captain Stirling ordered the Pique to
anchor, as the land was very close. Instead of so doing she
pressed on and ran aground. A very little later the Jason shared
her fate. The Seine drove ashore almost at the same moment.
The Jason's stern floated, and, as the tide rose, the ship swung
round, offering her stern to the Seine's raking broadsides. The
Pique managed to bring some of her guns to bear on the French
ship, and then, as the Mermaid was coming up fast, the Seine struck
her colours.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Kille.1. Wounded.
Total.
Pique.
906
44?
Lbs.
314?
247 n.
2
6
8
Jason .
984
46?
494?
277 n.
7
12
19
Seine .
1146
42
390
610
170?
100?
270?
The Seine was got afloat, but the Pique had to be abandoned,
after being rendered unserviceable.
On July 15th, to the south-east of Cartagena, the Lion, 64,
Captain Manley Dixon, engaged four Spanish frigates, the Pomona,
Proserpine, Sta. Cazilda, and Sta. Dorotea, each of thirty-four guns.2
The Spaniards formed in a line of battle, the Lion holding the
weather gage. The Sta. Dorotea dropped astern in the line and
was attacked by the British ship, whereupon the other frigates
tacked to her support, and, passing the Lion, each gave and received
1 James, 247 ; Troude, 136 ; Brenton, i. 389. 2 James, 254.
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1798.
a broadside twice. The Lion, however, closed her opponent, and
the other three Spanish ships, after a third attempt to give help,
stood away for Cartagena. The Sta. Dorotea, being very much cut
up and quite unable by herself to resist the battleship's crushing
fire, struck her colours.
—
Tons.
Gtms.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Lion .
1374
72?
Lbs.
678?
485 n.
0
2
2
Sta. Dorotea .
958
34
180?
371
20
32
52 .
The Sta. Dorotea was purchased for the Navy.
On July 23rd, the Eesistance, 44, Captain Edward Pakenham,
whilst at anchor in the Straits of Banca, blew up from some
unexplained cause.1 Of the people on board her, 332 were killed
and only thirteen survived. These clung to her wreckage, con-
structed a raft, and set sail for Sumatra, but a sudden storm
arising, all but five perished. These five reached Sumatra and
were imprisoned by the Malays. Eventually, only one man
escaped.
On July 26th, the British Brilliant, 28, Captain the Hon. Henry
Blackwood, was chased by the French Vertu, 36, and Eegeneree, 36,
which she had found at anchor at Tenerife.2 They slipped, and stood
after her. In the evening, though the Brilliant cut away boats and
anchors, the Eegeneree came up fast and began a running fight. To
extricate herself the Brilliant suddenly bore up, and, crossing the
hawse of the Eegeneree, which was to leeward of her, gave her a
raking broadside, and, bringing her main top-sail down, ran off on
the starboard tack. The Vertu took up the chase and opened with
her bow-guns. At midnight the wind fell and the Eegeneree was
able to come up again. Matters were looking very bad for the small
British frigate when a fresh breeze sprang up and the Brilliant drew
away, covered by darkness. She suffered no loss and little damage.
She was very much the weakest ship, as, allowing her six 24-pr.
carronades, her broadside did not exceed 198 Ibs. The broadside of
the two French ships was 670 Ibs. at least.
On the night of August 3rd-4th, the British vessels Melpomene,
38, Captain Sir Charles Hamilton, and Childers, 14, Commander
James, 245.
lb., 250; Troude, 130.
1798.]
THE "ESPOIR" AND THE "LIGURIA."
513
James O'Bryen,1 sent in their boats to the harbour of Correjou, in
the He de Bas, to cut out the French brig Aventurier, 12, Lieutenant
E. G. Kaffy.2 The night was dark, stormy, and rainy, and this
covered the British approach. At three in the morning tlae Aven-
turier was surprised and captured after a sharp scuffle, in which
the British loss was two killed and four wounded. In spite of the
fire of a fort commanding the inlet, the Aventurier was carried out
of the port.
On August 7th, the British brig-sloop Espoir, 14, Commander
Loftus Otway Bland,3 whilst in charge of a convoy in the Mediter-
ranean, was attacked by a large Genoese pirate, the Liguria, 26.* The
two ships began their battle at about 7 P.M. and fought till 11, when
the Liguria struck. The indiscipline of the pirate's crew is probably
the explanation of her easy defeat by a vessel so much her inferior
in armament.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men. Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Espoir
215
14
Lb8.
42
80
1
6
7
Liguria .
—
26 162
120
7
14
21
4 hours.
On the same day, Captain Sir Edward Pellew, in the Indefatig-
able, 44, cruising in the Bay, fell in with and captured, after a few
shots, the French corvette Vaillante, 20, Lieutenant La Porte, on
her way to Cayenne with political prisoners.6 The prize was pur-
chased for the Navy and equipped with thirty-four carronades and
long guns. She was renamed Danae.
On August 12th, the British sloop Hazard, 18, Commander
William Butterfield, chased and captured the French armed ship
Neptune, 10, in the North Atlantic.6
On August 18th, the British 50-gun ship Leander, Captain Thomas
Boulden Thompson, on her way from Alexandria with Nelson's
dispatches announcing the victory of the Nile, was sighted by the
1 Nephew of Murrough, first Marquis of Thomond, and later known as Lord James
O'Bryen. He succeeded his eldest brother, as third Marquis, in 1846, and died, a full
Admiral, in 1855.— W. L. C.
2 James, 255; Troude, 140.
3 A Commander of Oct. 1, 1797. For this action he was posted on Sept. 25 1798
— W. L. C.
4 James, 256. 5 James, 258 ; Osier, 116. 6 James, 259.
VOL. IV. 2 L
514 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
French Genereux, 74, Captain Lejoille, one of the two French vessels
of the line that had escaped with Villeneuve.1 The Leander was
short of her proper complement by not fewer than eighty men, had
no Marine officer on board, and had had one of her two 12-pr. car-
ronades dismounted at the Nile. She was off the western end of
Candia when she was seen. She at once made sail to escape, being
vastly inferior in force to the French vessel which was chasing her.
A breeze, however, brought up the enemy without reaching the
Leander, and, at 8 A.M., the Genereux was within random shot.
Seeing that escape was hopeless, Captain Thompson shortened sail
and waited for his powerful antagonist. Soon after nine, the
Genereux was close enough to the Leander's larboard quarter to
open fire. A furious action began, the two ships moving slowly
before the wind, broadside to broadside. The Leander was terribly
shattered in her rigging, sails, and yards, of which fact the Genereux
took advantage by running on board the Leander's larboard bow and
falling alongside at 10.30. The French then made a determined
attempt to board. They were repulsed by the valour and resolution
of the Leander's Marines, who, though they had no officer to lead or
encourage them, poured in a terrible fire upon the French boarding
parties. Below, the great guns continued the battle.
A breeze at length sprang up and carried the Genereux clear. The
Leander had been still more crippled by the fall of her mizen-mast,
which covered her starboard quarter, of her fore top-mast, which had
gone over the larboard bow, and of her yards, which were lying on
the booms. Yet, as the Genereux took the starboard tack, Captain
Thompson managed to place his ship under his enemy's stern, where
he delivered a deliberate raking broadside. The two closed once
more at the shortest range, with the sea "smooth as glass," and
fought thus till 3.30 P.M. Then the Genereux paid off and came
round across the Leander's bow, raking her, whilst the Leander's
forward guns, masked by the wreck of the fore top-mast, could not
fire. In that position, the Leander being quite unmanageable, with
every mast gone and much shattered in hull, the Genereux hailed to
know if her enemy had struck. The Leander seems to have had no
colours flying, and thence the question. A reply was made in the
affirmative by waving a French ensign on a pike ; and two French
officers swam on board, the Genereux having no boat that would
1 James, 259; Troude, 140; Clarke and McArthur, 'Nelson' (Fisher's edition),
ii. 175 ; Hennequin, ' Biographic Maritime,' iii. 293.
1798.]
LOSS OF THE "LEANDER."
515
float. The Leander was thus taken possession of, after a six and a
half hours' resistance, famous in history for its gallantry.
In the Leander the loss was heavy. Nelson's flag-captain, the
gallant Edward Berry, hero of innumerable pitched battles, who was
on board as the bearer of dispatches, was wounded by a piece of a
man's skull being driven into his arm. Captain Thompson had three
serious wounds ; three Midshipmen were killed and a fourth, with
two Lieutenants,1 the Master, and a Master's Mate, was wounded. In
all, 35 were killed and 57 wounded out of a crew of 282 men, amongst
whom were included 14 men wounded at the Nile. The Genereux
suffered far more heavily, in spite of her thicker and stronger sides.
She is said to have had 100 killed besides 188 wounded, out of a
•crew of 936. Thus each ship lost about one-third of her crew. The
moral of the Leander had doubtless been raised by the great victory
of the Nile, or she might have been expected to strike sooner to force
so overpowering.
—
Tons.
Guns. Broadside.
Men. : Killed.
Wounded. Total.
Genereut.
1920
Lbs.
80 1024
936
100?
188
288
Leander .
1052
51 432
282
35
57
92
6J hours.
Troude describes the Leander as a 64, and gives her eight
•32-pr. carronades. His account is apparently based upon the official
letter of Captain Lejoille, who wilfully misrepresented the force of
the ship which he had conquered, and pretended that she was a 74.
It is, of course, well known and ascertained that the Leander carried
•only fifty-one effective carriage-guns in all, and therefore twenty-
three guns must have been added by Lejoille's exuberant imagi-
nation.
The behaviour of the captors was disgraceful.2 They plundered
the ship and plundered the prisoners. Captain Thompson had his
kit, and Captain Berry a valuable pair of pistols, taken from him.
The Leander's surgeon was robbed even of his instruments, and was
1 Bridges Watkinson Taylor and William Swiney (2). The former, a Commander
of 1799 and a Captain of 1802, was drowned in the Apollo in 1814. The latter retired
with the rank of Commander in 1830, and died in 1841. — W. L. C.
2 Troude cites evidence to the contrary, but it is far from convincing. The state-
ments of the British Consul at Trieste (' Naval Chronicle,' xiv. 10) are unimpeachable,
.though I cannot find that either Berry or Thompson complained.
2 L 2
516 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
not allowed to attend upon Captain Thompson. The wounded
seamen were treated with great barbarity ; and the prisoners were
compelled to aid in refitting the ship, a breach of the established
usages of war.
On the way to Corfu, on August 28th, the Genereux and her
prize were sighted by the British sloop Mutine, 16, Captain the Hon.
Thomas Bladen Capell, carrying Nelson's duplicate dispatches ; and
the French made preparations to cast off the prize and abandon her,
but, discovering the Mutine 's real force, did not carry out this inten-
tion. At Corfu, after much more ill-usage, the Leander's officers were
released on parole. Her seamen were detained prisoners, and at a
later date an attempt was made by Captain Lejoille to persuade or
compel some of them to join the French Navy. The reply of a
gallant main top-man, George Bannister, has come down to us over
the sea of time : " No, you damned French rascal ; give us back our
little ship and we'll fight you again till we sink."
On the capture of Corfu by the Russians and Turks on March
3rd, 1799, the Leander was restored to England. Captain Thompson
was most honourably acquitted by court-martial for the loss of his
ship, and, going ashore after the verdict, was cheered by every vessel
at Sheerness. He and Berry were knighted for their gallantry.
On August 22nd, the British Naiad, 38, Captain William
Pierrepont, saw the French Decade, 36, Captain Villeneuve, making
her landfall off Finisterre, and chased her during the night.1 Next
day the Magnanime, 44, Captain the Hon. Michael de Courcy, joined
the Naiad in her pursuit. At 5 P.M., the Decade opened on the leading
British ship, the Naiad, and the latter, a little more than an hour
later, replied. The two fought for about sixty minutes, when, seeing
no chance of escape from so superior a force, Captain Villeneuve
hauled down his flag. The Decade was from Cayenne, where she
had left ten of her guns ; she was no match for the Naiad alone,
which mounted forty-six guns, much less for the Magnanime, which
carried 24-prs., and was a cut-down 64-gun ship.
On October 24th, off the Texel, the British Sirius, 36, Captain
Eichard King (2), fell in with the Dutch vessels Furie, 36, Captain
Bartholomeus Pletsz, and Waakzaamheid, 24, Captain Meindert
van Neirop.2 As these two were some distance apart, the Sirius
was able to isolate the Waakzaamheid and attack her, when at
the first shot she struck. A prize crew was placed on board her,
1 James, 269 ; Troude, 144. 2 James, 270.
1798.]
THE "FURIE" AND " WAAKZAAMHEID " TAKEN.
517
and then the Sirius made sail after the Furie, which had taken
to her heels. At 5 P.M., the British frigate was close enough to
her enemy to open fire, and a running fight ensued. The Furie
continued a very ill-directed fire for an hour, doing little damage
to the Sirius, while sustaining serious injury herself. Then the
Dutch colours were hauled down. In this action the two Dutch
captains displayed singular incapacity, allowing their ships to be
separated and beaten in detail.
Tons*. Gnus. Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wouuded.
Total.
Sirius
1049
Lbs.
44 407 251 n.
0
1
1
(Furie. . .
827
36
202
328
8
14
22
[ Wuakzaamheid]
501
26
111
222
0
0
0
Both prizes were purchased for the Navy, the Furie being
renamed the Wilhelmina, which had been her original appellation.
On December 3rd, the British brig-sloops Victorieuse, 14, Com-
mander Edward Stirling Dickson, and Zephyr', 14, Commander
William Champain, landed a small force in the West Indian island
of Margarita to attack a fort on the river Caribe.1 This surrendered
without any ado, and the brigs sailed for Gurupano, another port
in the island. Seventy soldiers and Marines were landed there, and
stormed two forts, with a loss of two killed and two wounded. A
privateer in the harbour was captured.
On December 14th occurred one of the very few actions in this
war which are disgraceful to the British arms.2 The Ambuscade, 32,
Captain Henry Jenkins, whilst cruising off the Gironde, expecting
to be joined by the Stag, 32, sighted a sail approaching. No private
signals were made or asked for ; a discreditable degree of carelessness
prevailed on board, and the men went to breakfast. Suddenly, at about
9 A.M., the stranger, having approached almost within gunshot, went
about under a press of sail. She was the French corvette Bayonnaise,
24, Lieutenant J. B. E. Richer. The Ambuscade, when Captain
Jenkins discovered his mistake, hurried in pursuit, and towards noon
was near enough to the chase to open fire. The Bayonnaise shortened
sail and courted battle. The two fought for an hour, when one of
the Ambuscade's 12-prs. burst, doing much damage to the ship and
1 James, 230. 2 Il>., 273 ; Troude, 145 ; C.M , 90, Aug. 26.
518 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1798.
wounding eleven men.1 Such an incident, as a study of the minor
actions proves, has a disastrous effect on the moral of the ship wherein
it occurs. The only exception to this is in the case of the action
between the Serapis and Bonhomme Eichard. The Bayonnaise seized
the opportunity of the confusion which this occurrence caused in the
Ambuscade to make off. She was pursued by the Ambuscade, which
came up to leeward, and shot a little ahead under a press of sail.
The French had so far suffered severely. At that juncture they
determined to board. They had a much larger crew than had the
Ambuscade ; and serving in the Baijonnaise were thirty veteran
soldiers of the Alsace regiment. The French ship ran on board the
Ambuscade, which was becalmed as the French ship wore under
her stem, carrying away the tiller ropes, starboard quarter-deck
bulwarks, mizen shrouds and mizen-mast, and locking the wheel
with her sprit-sail yard, and then dropped under the British vessel's
stern, but did not clear her. The French soldiers from the
Bayonnaise 's bowsprit swept the Ambuscade's deck, which was not
barricaded with hammocks, with a deadly fire. In a few minutes
five officers 2were killed or wounded in quick succession, and the
command devolved upon the Purser, Mr. William Bowman Murray.
An explosion of cartridges, left on the rudder-head, blew out a
portion of the Ambuscade s stern, and caused panic amongst her
men. Most of the British crew left their quarters. At that
moment the French boarders rushed on to the Ambuscade's deck
and carried it. The British crew was, according to James, an
ill-disciplined one, and Captain Jenkins a most indiscreet and
incompetent officer. The management of the Ambuscade left much
to be desired, and, as often is the case, bad management was
attended by bad luck. The two explosions, and the great weakness
of the British crew, from which not less than thirty-one officers and
men had been detached and placed on board a prize, must be taken
into account. All the French officers except two were wounded ; all
the British executive officers killed or wounded. The action shows
clearly that superiority of force is useless with a bad or weak captain
and an ill-disciplined crew. The French may none the less be
proud of their victory.
1 Nine men, according to a witness at the court-martial.
2 Lieutenant. Dawson Main, mortally wounded ; Captain Jenkins, wounded ;
Lieutenant of Marines, James Sinclair, wounded ; Mr. Brown, Master, killed ; Lieu-
tenant Joseph Briggs, wounded. — W. L. C.
1799.]
LOSS OF THE "PS OSES PINE."
519
Toils.
Guns. Broadside. ' Men.
Killed. Wounded. Total.
Lbs.
Mayonnaise .
580?
32
123 '
250?
30?
30?
60?
Ambuscade .
684
40
268
190
11
39
50
4 hours ?
1 Troude. According to James, her broadside was 156 Ibs. or thereabouts, as he credits her with two 36-pr
carronades, and gives good reasons for his statement. Of the Ambuscade's 24-pr. carronades some, if not all,
were disabled in the action.
Captain Jenkins, whilst still suffering from his wound, was tried
and acquitted for the loss of his ship. This fact may explain the
verdict. His officers and his crew were likewise acquitted, though
the opinion was expressed that all had not behaved with the accus-
tomed courage of British seamen. Lieutenant Eicher was promoted
two steps for his brilliant success.
On January 4th, 1799, the Wolverine, 12, Commander Lewis
Mortlock, cruising off Boulogne, was attacked by two strongly-
manned French privateers, the Ruse, 8, and the Furet, 4, but
succeeded in repulsing them.1 The Wolverine, though she carried
only seventy men, could fight on each side two 18-prs., six 24-pr.
carronades, and two, if not three, 12-pr. carronades. She was,
therefore, a more formidable ship at close quarters than her rating
seemed to show.
On February 1st, the British 28-gun frigate Proserpine, Captain
James Wallis (1), struck on the Scharhorn Eiff, below Neuwerk,
at the mouth of the Elbe, in stormy weather, and had to be
abandoned.2 Her crew escaped ashore on the ice with the loss of
fourteen frozen to death in the bitterly cold weather.
On February 6th, the British ships Leviathan, 74, Captain John
Buchanan (1), and Argo, 44, Captain James Bowen (1), discovered
off Majorca two Spanish frigates, the Sta. Teresa, 34, and Proser-
pina, 34. 3 The two latter separated and took different courses.
The Sta. Teresa was pursued by the Argo, but the Leviathan, which
had dropped behind, did not alter course and chase the Proserpina.
At midnight the Argo closed the Sta. Teresa after a running fight,
and a broadside brought down the Spanish flag. The Spaniard
was no match for the Argo alone, much less for the Argo and
Leviathan combined. The prize was purchased for the Navy.
On February 9th, the British Dccdalus, 32, Captain Henry
James, 353.
11)., 354.
/&., 359.
520
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1799.
Lidgbird Ball, cruising in the Indian Ocean, sighted the French
Prudente, 36, Captain Joliff, with a prize.1 The Prudente had only
thirty guns on board, having left eight at Mauritius, and she had
already detached seventeen of her officers and men to form the prize
crew. She separated from her prize and was soon closed by the
Dccdalus, which engaged her hotly just after noon. The British
ship crossed her stern, raked her and luffed, bringing the two
broadside to broadside. , At 1.21 P.M., the Prudente struck in a
very shattered condition. According to Troude, she was a privateer
and not a warship.
—
Tons.
Guns. Broadside.
Men. Killed. Wounded.
Total.
Dsedalus .
703
38
Lbs.
246
212
2
12
14
Prudente .
1
920
30
214
301
27
22
49
1 hour 20 minutes.
The Prudente was too much damaged to be purchased for the
Navy.
On February 22nd, off the Spanish coast,2 the British sloop
Espoir, 14, Commander James Sanders, captured the Spanish
xebec Africa, 14, with a loss of four killed and wounded. The
Spanish loss was thirty-seven killed and wounded.
Late in February, the French frigate Forte, 40, Captain Beaulieu,
arrived in the Bay of Bengal and began to harass British commerce.3
She was in bad order ; the discipline of her crew was not good ; and
her captain, according to Bear-Admiral Sercey, was too old and feeble
for his work. The British cruiser Sibylle, 40, Captain Edward
Cook, a very fine and powerful vessel, went to look for her, to stop
her depredations. In the evening of the 28th, whilst the Sibylle
was on this quest, vivid flashes were seen to the north-west, and
supposed to be lightning. As, however, the flashes went on con-
tinuously till nine, and then stopped altogether, Captain Cook
began to suspect that they were from guns, and stood towards them,
with all lights out, to make certain. At 9.30 he sighted the Forte
and two prizes lying side by side. Captain Cook manoeuvred to
gain the weather gage, untroubled by the Forte. The French
captain saw the Sibylle, but was obstinately persuaded that she was
1 James, 357; Troude, 170. 2 James, 364.
3 Ib., 365; Troude, 171.
1799.]
THE "SIBYLLE" AND THE "FORTE."
521
a merchantman, and made no preparations to attack her, though
assured by his officers that she was an enemy. The French
were on the starboard tack, lying to. The Sibylle bore steadily
down, until, as she approached, the Forte crossed her bows and
fired a few random shot at her, to which the British ship made
no answer. Then, at 12.45 A.M., the Sibylle put her helm up,
the Forte being abaft her beam, and passed under the enemy's
stern, pouring in a most destructive broadside at the very shortest
range. She followed this up by closing the Forte broadside to
broadside, whilst the guns of the French were fired by mistake at
one of their prizes. The Forte had had to supply crews for seven
captures and for this reason was unable to man her forecastle and
quarterdeck guns. In consequence, her fire was not very effective.
Early in the action Captain Cook1 was wounded, and Captain
Beaulieu was killed an hour after the battle began. At 2.30 the
Forte had only four guns which could be used. She therefore
stopped her fire and endeavoured to make sail and escape. Dis-
covering her intentions, the Sibylle, after twice hailing her to strike,
resumed her fire and very quickly brought down the Forte's masts.
On this the French ship struck and was taken possession of. The
Sibylle was much cut up in her masts and rigging. The Forte was
in a horrible state, with her starboard side almost beaten in, and
three hundred shot in her hull.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Sibylle . . 1091
48 l
Lbs.
503
371
o
17
22
Fork . . .1401
52'
610
370?
65
80?
145
2£ hours.
l The Sibylle carried twenty-eight 18-prs., six 9-pn>., and fourteen 32-pr. carronades. The Forte's armament
is variously given : —
24-prs.
(French).
24-prs.
t English).
8-prs.
36-pr.
(carronades).
James .
Troude
28
i -
14
10
8
4
1
James has been followed in the text
1 This gallant officer, a Captain of 1794, died of his wounds at Calcutta on
May 25th, following. 'Nav. Chron.,' ii. 643. James and others spell his name
"Cooke"; but the Navy List spelling is here followed. — W. L. C.
522 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
In the Sibylle were 131 officers and men of the Scotch
brigade, who fought with great credit. It should he noted that
in the general opinion of naval men at that time the Sibylle
was no match for the Forte. The latter's weight of broad-
side, from long guns only, was 448 Ibs., as against the Sibylle' s
279 Ibs. The bad shooting of the Forte is partly explained by
the fact that her gun-quoins had been planed down three days
previously. The Forte was purchased for the Navy and rated a 44.
On April 9th, the British San Fiorenzo, 36, Captain Sir Harry
Burrard Neale, and Amelia, 38, Captain the Hon. Charles Herbert (1),
were cruising off Belle Isle, where lay three French frigates, the
Cornelie, 40, Semillante, 36, and Vengeance, 40, when a squall carried
away the Amelia's main top-mast and her two other topgallant-
masts.1 On this the three French ships stood out, and, supported
by a gunboat, attacked the frigates. A scrambling distant action
of three hours followed, after which the French retired, to the great
surprise of the British. The San Fiorenzo and Amelia were much
cut up in their rigging. They had to face not only the French ships
but also a battery on Hoe'dic Island. The retreat of the French was
explained by the fact that they imagined they were dealing with two
cut-down ships of the line.
On May 8th, the British polacca Fortune, 10, Lieutenant Lewis
Davis, cruising on the Syrian coast,2 was attacked by the French
brig Salamine, 18. After a three hours' desperate engagement the
Fortune struck, as three French frigates of Rear-Admiral Perree's
squadron were seen to be coming up. The Fortune had the help of
a gunboat, the Dame de Grace, which was sunk. Her loss was five.
On June 9th, the boats of the Success, 32, Captain Shuldham
Peard, cut out an armed Spanish polacca, laden with merchandise,
from the harbour of La Selva. The British loss was four killed
and eight wounded out of forty-two.
On August llth, the British sloops, Pylades, 16, Commander
Adam Mackenzie, and Espiegle, 16, Captain James Boorder, with
the cutter Courier, 10, Lieutenant Thomas Searle, attacked the ex-
British brig Crash, 12, which was lying between Schiermonnikoog
and the Dutch mainland.3 The Courier led, followed by the other
two, and after a fifty minutes' action the Dutch flag was hauled
down. The British loss was three killed or wounded. On the 12th,
the Crash and the boats of the other vessels attacked the Dutch
1 James, 37(i. - lb., 379. 3 lb., 382.
1799.]
THE "CLYDE" AND THE "VESTALE."
523
schooner Vengeance, 6, which was lying under the guns of a battery
on Schiermoniiikoog. Under a heavy fire the battery was taken and
its guns spiked or brought off. The schooner was burnt by her crew.
There was no loss on the British side.
On August 20th, the British Clyde, 38, Captain Charles
Cunningham, was cruising off Rochefort, when she sighted the
French ships Vestale, 32, Captain M. M. P. Gaspard, and
Sagesse, 20.1 The two separated, and the Vestale was followed by
the Clyde. At 1.30 P.M. the latter was within range, and the
action began, the Clyde and Vestale engaging broadside to broadside.
The Clyde changed from larboard to starboard of the French ship,
passing astern and raking her, and repeated this manoeuvre several
times. The Vestale's crew was weak, as thirty or forty men had
died in the West Indies of yellow fever; and of those on board
many were ill. She had no chance of success against so superior
an antagonist. At about 3.20 she struck her flag.
—
Tons.
Quns.
Broadside. Meu.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Clyde . .
1000?
46
Lbs.
425 281
2
3
5
Vestale
. j 946
36?1
273 ' 230
10
22
32
110 minutes.
1 James calls the Vestale a 36-gun frigate, and gives her a total of thirty-eight carriage-guus. From Tronde,
and from the number of her complement as detailed in James, she appears to have been a Zi of thirty-six
carriage guns.
The Vestale was not purchased for the Navy.
On August 25th, off the coast of Guiana, the British Tamar, 38,
Captain Thomas Western, chased the French corvette Bepub-
licaine, 28, Captain P. M. Lebozec.2 The latter during the night
escaped into shoal water, whence under cover of darkness she ran
for the open sea. At daylight she was seen and pursued. At
5.30 P.M. the Tamar came up with her; and, after ten minutes'
fighting, the Bepublicaine struck.
—
Tuns. Guns. Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Tamar
999 46
Lbs.
425
281
0
2
2
Bepublicaine .
36
26G
175
9
12
21
10 minutes.
1 James. 384 ; Troude, 177.
2 James, 387 ; Troude, 179.
524
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1799.
The Bepublicaine 's eight 36-pr. carronades, counted above, were
so badly mounted as to be almost unserviceable.
On September 12th, the British sloops Arrow, 28, Commander
Nathaniel Portlock, and Wolverine, 12, Commander William
Bolton (1), attacked off Harlingen the Dutch brig Gier, 14, and
ship, Draak, 18. * The Wolverine secured the surrender of the
first without loss on either side, but the Arrow had a harder task,
as she had to work up to the Draak under fire, against tide and
wind. When close to her enemy she opened, and in fifteen minutes
the Draak hauled down her colours. The Wolverine was then fast
coming up.
Tens.
Guns.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded. Total.
Arrow
—
28
Lbs.
448
20
1
9
10
Draak
?
24?
358?
180
?
?
?
15 minutes.
The Draak was destroyed, and the Gier purchased for the Navy.
On September 20th, the British vessels Camel, armed storeship,
Commander John Lee, and Rattlesnake, 16, Commander Samuel
Gooch, were lying at anchor in Algoa Bay, South Africa,2 with
masts and yards down, and their commanders and about forty-
five men serving on shore, when the French Preneuse, 36, Captain
LVHerrnitte, entered the bay and anchored near them, without
attacking them, though each British vessel fired a shot at her.
At 8.30 P.M., since it appeared from the Preneuse's manoeuvres
that she intended to board the Rattlesnake,3 that vessel opened
fire and was supported by the Camel* The Preneuse at about
nine returned the fire, directing her guns mainly upon the Camel.
The latter ship was hulled below the water-line, and all her
crew had to be withdrawn from the guns to the pumps. The
Preneuse, supposing that the Camel was silenced, next turned her
fire on the Rattlesnake; but at 3.30 A.M., to the surprise of all,
she slipped and retreated. The French explanation of this is that
the Preneuse's crew was very weak, and that she dreaded attack
from a supposed British brig — really a prize schooner. The British
1 James, 388. 2 Ib., 390.
3 Temporarily commanded by Lieut. William Fothergill.— W. L. C.
4 Temporarily commanded by Lieut. Charles Shaw (1). — W. L. C.
1799.] THE "THETIS" AND "STA. BHIGIDA" TAKEN. 525
loss was three killed and thirteen wounded in this action, against
very superior force.
On October 9th, the Jupiter, 50, Captain William Granger,
having arrived in Algoa Bay, sailed in quest of the Preneuse, and on
the 10th, in a heavy gale, sighted her, and chased her.1 The Jupiter
could not open her lower deck ports owing to the sea. A running
fight continued during the 10th and llth till 2 P.M. of the latter
day, when the Jupiter closed. The sea was still so high that the
British ship could not use her 24-prs. The Preneuse, though
seriously damaged, was handled with great skill. She twice raked
her heavier enemy, and at about 5 P.M. so disabled her foe in
masts and rigging as to be able to escape. No explanation of the
Jupiter's failure can be given. As Troude points out, even if her
lower-deck guns were useless, she had her twelve 36-pr. carronades
with her 6-prs., which gave her a'broadside of 228 Ibs.
On October llth, the Excellent, 74, Captain the Hon. Eobert
Stopford, captured off Lorient the French corvette Arethuse, 18,
Captain Halgan, after an eight hours' chase.2
On October llth, the British Bevolutionnaire, 38, Captain Thomas
Twysden, captured an exceptionally large and fast French privateer,
the Bordelaise, 24, on the Irish coast.3 The Eordelaise offered no
resistance.
On the 12th, the British Trincomale, 16, Commander John
Eowe, whilst engaging a French privateer, the Iphigenie, 18, in
the strait of Bab-el-Mandeb, blew up, all her crew except two
perishing.4
On October 15th, the British frigate, Naiad, 38, Captain William
Pierrepont, cruising in the bay, sighted the two Spanish frigates,
. Sta. Brigida, 34, and Thetis, 34, with treasure from Mexico on
board to the value of £600,000. 6 She at once gave chase, and early
next morning saw another ship — a friend, the Ethalion, 38, Captain
James Young (2), which also joined in the chase. A third British
frigate, the Alcmene, 32, Captain Henry Digby, and a fourth, the
Triton, 32, Captain John Gore (2), arrived on the scene after day
1 James, 392 ; Troude, 180 ; Log of Jupiter.
2 Troude, 183 ; Gazette, 1799, p. 1066.
3 James, 399 ; Log of Bevolvtionnaire.
* Rowe had been a Commander for less than three months. The explosion also
sank the Iphigenie, about 115 men perishing in her. The British loss was about 98. —
W. L. C.
6 James, 401.
526
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1799.
broke. The two Spaniards then separated and took different courses.
The Ethalion pursued the Thetis, passing the Sta. Brigida and
firing into her. At 11.30, the Ethalion brought the Thetis to action,
and, after a running fight of an hour, captured her.
—
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside. Men.
Killed.
Wounded. Total.
Ethalion .
992
46
Lbs.
425 281
0
0 0
Thetis . .
950?
34?
180? 370?
1
9 10
60 minutes.
Meantime the Sta. Brigida doubled Cape Finisterre, closely
pursued by the Triton. The latter was so unfortunate as to strike
a reef, but was quickly got off, and at 7 A.M. brought the Spaniard
to action. At the same time the Alcmene, steering so as to cut off
the Sta. Brigida from the shore, engaged her on the other side.
Thus assailed, the Sta. Brigida, after a vigorous resistance, hauled
down her flag. All the three frigates and the Naiad were amongst
the rocks, whence they succeeded in extricating themselves on a
breeze springing up opportunely from the shore.
The Spanish frigates and their captors arrived at Plymouth on
the 21st and 22nd. The treasure was in due course removed to
London, and divided amongst the captors in the following pro-
portion: Captains, £40,730 18s. each; Lieutenants, £5091 7s. 3d. ;
warrant-officers, £2468 10s. 9£c7. ; Midshipmen, £791 17s. 0%d. ;
seamen and Marines, £182 4s. 9£o?. The Spanish frigates were not
purchased for the Navy.
On October 20th, off Cape Ortegal, the British Cerberus,1 32,
Captain James Macnamara (2), discovered a large Spanish convoy
of eighty sail, under charge of the Ceres, 40, Diana, Esmeralda,
Mercedes, and an unknown ship, all of 34, besides two brigs. The
Cerberus at once approached them, closed a frigate, and with extra-
ordinary audacity, attacked her. The Spaniard was unprepared.
She probably never expected a single enemy to venture within the
reach of so large a squadron ; and at 8.30 her guns are said to have
been silenced. The other four Spanish frigates then approached
and assailed the intruder, the Cerberus being at times engaged on
both sides ; and at 9.30 Captain Macnamara decided to retire. He
1 James, 404.
1799.]
CUTTING OUT OF THE "HERMIONE."
527
succeeded in getting clear of his assailants, and then, at 11 P.M.,
captured a brig from the convoy and burnt her. The Cerberus' 's loss
was only four wounded. That of the Spaniards is unknown.
On the night of October 24th, the boats of the Surprise, 28,
Captain Edward Hamilton, cut out the ex-British frigate Hermione,
32, from the harbour of Puerto Cabello in Venezuela.1 The enter-
prise was a desperate one, as batteries mounting about two hundred
AUM1KAL SIB EDWAHD HAMILTON, BART.
(From the cmjracing by Ridley, after the pfiinliny by Thompson.)
guns commanded the harbour. Six boats were employed under the
lead of Captain Hamilton himself. They were discovered by two
Spanish gun-vessels, and fired on long before they reached the
Hermione ; and, when they got alongside her, they found her crew
at quarters. None the less they boarded her, and a desperate fight
upon her deck ensued. Captain Hamilton was felled by a clubbed
musket, and several of the British were wounded. They drove the
1 James, 405.
528 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1799.
Spaniards, however, from the deck, cut the cable, and loosed the
foresail and topsails. In spite of a heavy fire from the batteries
they carried out their prize with the loss of only 12 wounded.
The Spaniards, on the other hand, lost no fewer than 119 killed
and 97 wounded out of a crew of 365. This is perhaps the most
gallant of the many gallant cutting-out actions of this war, and
Captain Hamilton was deservedly knighted for his conduct. The
Hermione was restored to the Navy -under the name first of Retalia-
tion and then of Betribution.
On November 6th, the British Speedy, 14, Commander Jahleel
Brentoii, whilst waiting for her convoy off Gibraltar, was attacked
by twelve Spanish gunboats which endeavoured unsuccessfully to
capture two vessels in her charge.1 She drove them off after a
sharp action, with the loss of only two killed and one wounded.
She was, however, very much cut up in hull. The batteries of
Gibraltar gave her no support ; the explanation being, as Brenton
discovered, that the governor of Gibraltar had agreed with the
governor of Algesiras, that if the gunboats would not fire on the
town of Gibraltar, the batteries would not fire on the gunboats.
On November 15th, the British Crescent, 36, Captain William
Granville Lobb, and Calypso, 16, Commander Joseph Baker, with
a convoy, fell in with the Spanish Asia, 64, Amfitrite, 40, and
Galgo, 16, under Commodore Don F. Montes, bound from San
Domingo to Havana.2 The Calypso reconnoitred the Spaniards
and stood between them and the British convoy, as also did the
Crescent. Meantime the convoy had scattered and the Galgo was
observed to be closing it. On this the Crescent made sail from
the Asia and Amfitrite, and in face of them captured and carried off
the Galgo. The whole convoy reached Jamaica with the loss of
only one ship. There must have been the most astonishing
incapacity on the part of the Spaniards.
On November 24th, the British Solebay, 32, Captain Stephen
Poyntz, discovered off San Domingo four French ships, the flute,
Egyptien, 18, store-ship, Eole, 16, Levrier, 12, and Vengeur, 8.3
They bore away for Cape Tiburon, and were followed by Poyntz,
1 James, 395 ; Brentoo, i. 487.
2 James, 413.
3 James, 415. Not in Troude, so, probably, these vessels were privateers, or hired
by privateer companies from the French navy ; or else armed ships, with stores on
board. (The Vengeur was the ex-British schooner Charlotte, which had been captured
off Cape Francois, under Lieut. John Thicknesse, earlier in the year. — W. L. C.)
1799-1800.] THE "PALLAS" TAKEN BY BRITISH SLOOPS.
529
until the four were becalmed and separated, when the Solebay
attacked them in turn and captured them all. Between them, they
mounted fifty-eight guns, and were manned by 431 men. The Eole1
was purchased for the Navy and renamed Ninirod.
On December llth, the French Preneuse, 36, Captain L'Herrnitte,
was chased off Mauritius by the British Tremendous, 74, and
Adamant, 50, and driven ashore.2 She was boarded by the British
boats and burnt.
On December 17th, the British Glenmore, 36, Captain George Duff,
and Aimable, 32, Captain Henry Eaper, with a large convoy, fell in
with the French Sirene, 36, Captain J. M. Kenaud, Bergere, 18,
Captain Bourdichon, and the Calcutta, East Indiaman, which the
French had just captured, off Madeira.3 The Glenmore mistook the
Calcutta for a cut-down ship of the line and stood in chase of her and
captured her. Meantime the Aimable pursued the two French war-
ships, and at 1.30 P.M. was out of sight of her consort. She attacked
the Bergere, hoping that the Glenmore would come up to her aid ; but,
when this did not happen and the Sirene wore and stood towards
her, she had to draw off. She remained watching the French ships
till nightfall, when she rejoined the convoy.
In December, a Danish frigate in charge of a convoy resisted
an attempted search of her convoy by British vessels, and was
compelled to accompany the British ships to Gibraltar, but was
there eventually released.4
On February 5th, 1800, the British sloops Fairy, 16, Commander
Joshua Sydney Horton, and Harpy, 18, Commander Henry Bazely,
off St. Malo discovered the French frigate Pallas, 38, Captain
Jacques Epron.6 The British vessels stood out to sea and were
followed by the Pallas, which closed and engaged them. An action
—
Tons.
Gnus.
Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Lbs.
Pallas . .
1028
46
498
362
12 ?
1
12 ?
(Fairy. . .
(Harpy . .
- )
367 j
40?
334?
240
5
11
16
1J hours.
1 Called Eolan in Steel, and Goelan (i.e. Goeland) in Marshall, i. 753. — W. L. C.
2 Troude, 184. 4 Chevalier, iii. 28.
3 James, 416 ; Troude, 186. " James, iii. 3 ; Troude, iii. 202.
VOL. IV. 2 M
530
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1800.
of over an hour followed, in which the Harpy several times raked
her opponent. Then the Pallas retired, leaving the Harpy and
Fairy too much damaged to follow her.
Eepairing their damage, the Fairy and Harpy made sail in chase
of the Pallas, when they sighted, coming up ahead, the British
Loire, 38, Captain James Newman Newman, Danae, 20, Captain
Lord Proby, and Bailleur, 16, Commander William Turquand.
These joined in the chase, and the Raitteur, at about 7.45 P.M.,
compelled the Pallas to tack off-shore, when she passed the Loire
and exchanged fire. At 11 P.M. the Loire closed her off the Sept
lies, and began a sharp action with her and a battery on shore.
The Kailleur, Harpy, and Fairy all joined in, and the five ships
fought running on the starboard tack till 1.30, when the Harpy
got under the Pallas' 's stern and gave her several raking broadsides.
On this she struck after a brilliant resistance to an overwhelming
force. The Loire had on board one hundred "volunteers" from
prison-ships who showed great cowardice. The British loss in
this action was nine killed and thirty -six wounded ; the French
loss is unknown. The Pallas, a remarkably fine frigate, was pur-
chased for the Navy and renamed Pique.
On March 20th, the British Petrel, 16, Commander Francis
William Austen (1), off the Eiviera, engaged the French Cerf, 14,
Lejoille, 6, and Ligurienne, 14, in charge of a convoy.1 As the
British Mermaid, 32, was seen to be coming up, though at a great
distance, the French vessels made all sail to escape. The Ligurienne
was overtaken by the Petrel, and after a smart fight, in which the
French had the support of a coast battery mounting four heavy
guns, struck.
Tolls. Guns.
Hroadside.
Men.
Killed.
'\Younded.
Total.
Lbs.
Petrel . .
— 20?
96?
8!)
0
0
0
Ligurienne .
16
85
104
2
2
4
1J hours.
On April 5th, the British ships Leviathan, 74, Captain James
Carpenter, carrying Rear-Admiral John Thomas Duckworth's flag,
Swiftsure, 74, Captain Benjamin Hallowell, and Emerald, 36, Captain
1 James, iii. 10 ; Troude, 203.
1800.] BOAT ATTACKS OFF THE FRENCH COAST. 531
Thomas Moutray Waller, off Cadiz discovered a Spanish convoy.1
Early on the 6th they captured one of its ships, and later in the day
a second. Then, seeing six sail in the north-east, the Leviathan
and Emerald stood towards them, and early on the 7th found that
two of them were frigates. At dawn the two British ships bore
down upon them, and being taken by the Spaniards for vessels of
the convoy, were able to get very close. The enemies were hailed
to strike, and, thus discovering their mistake, attempted to escape,
but were foiled by the Emerald, which disabled their sails and
rigging. They then struck, and proved to be the Carmen, 32, and
Florentina, 34. They had lost between them twenty-two killed
and twenty-six wounded. The British ships apparently suffered no
loss. A third Spanish frigate effected her escape.
On June 3rd, the French corvette Albanaise, 12, was captured
by the British Phoenix, 36, and Port Mahon, in the Mediterranean.2
On the night of June 10th, the boats of Sir John Borlase
Warren's frigate-squadron, cruising off the Penmarcks, captured
three small French vessels and eight merchantmen in the harbour of
St. Croix with a loss of four men.3 On the night of the 23rd-24th,
a party landed from the boats of the same squadron and stormed
and destroyed three small batteries and forts at the mouth of the
Quimper river. On the night of July lst-2nd, the boats boarded
and destroyed the French armed ship Therese, 20, lying inside
Noirmoutier Island, three other armed vessels, and fifteen mer-
chantmen. On returning, the boats grounded upon a sandbank,
and ninety-two officers and men were captured by the French.
The remaining one hundred fought their way clear.
On July 7th, the sloop Dart, 30,4 Commander Patrick Campbell,
with two gunbrigs,6 four fireships,6 and the cutters and boats from
the Andromeda, 32, and Nemesis, 28, ran into Dunquerque Eoad to
capture or destroy four French frigates lying there, the Poursui-
vante, 44, Carmagnole, 40, Desiree, 38, and Incorruptible, 38. 7 The
Dart answered a hail in French, and arrived abreast of the inmost
frigate but one without a shot being fired. The French vessel then
opened on her, and she replied with her 32-pr. carronades, passing on
1 James, iii. 13. 2 Troude, 210. 3 James, iii. 15.
* 32-pr. carronades. — W. L. C.
5 Biter, Lieut. William Norman, and Boxer, Lieut. Thomas Gilbert. — W. L. C.
6 Wasp, Com. John Edwards (2); Falcon, Com. Henry Samuel Butt; Comet,
Com. Thomas Leef ; and Rosario, Com. James Carthew. — W. L. C.
7 James, iii. 17; Troude, 191.
2 M 2
532 MINOK OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1800.
and running on board the innermost enemy. Her men dashed on to
the deck of the Frenchman, and in a moment the Desiree was carried.
She was successfully taken out by her captors and was purchased
for the Navy. Meantime the fireships ran up to the other three
French frigates, but, though well handled, could not destroy them,
and they escaped. The smaller British craft cannonaded the French
gunboats. The total British loss in this dashing enterprise was
only six killed or wounded.
On the night of July 26th, three boats from Sir Edward Pellew's
squadron, under the command of Lieutenant Jeremiah Coghlan
(actg.) of the cutter Viper, most gallantly cut out the French gun-
brig Cerbere, 7, from Port Louis.1 The French crew was found
at quarters, but, though two of his boats failed to arrive in time,
Coghlan boarded. He was driven back and wounded in the
thigh, but, returning to the attack, forced his way in and carried
her. She was towed out successfully ; and Lord St. Vincent, then
in command of the Channel Fleet, was so pleased with Coghlan's
conduct that he presented him with a sword and confirmed him
as Lieutenant, in spite of his not having served his time.2
On August 4th, the British Belliqueux, 64, Captain Eowley
Bulteel, with six East Indiamen under her charge, sighted the French
frigates Concorde, 40, Captain J. F. Landolphe, Franchise, 36, Captain
P. Jurien de La Graviere, and Medee, 36, Captain J. D. Coudin,
with a prize schooner, off the coast of Brazil.3 Taking the Indiamen
for ships of the line, the French scattered. The British pursued, the
Belliqueux capturing the Concorde after a few shots which hurt no
one, and the East Indiamen chasing the Medee and the Franchise
The Medee was overtaken by, and after a very short resistance struck
to, the Indiamen Bombay Castle, John Hamilton, master, and
Exeter, Henry Meriton, master. The Franchise alone escaped.
1 James, 20 ; Navy League Journal, i. 195 ; Osier, 131.
2 Coglilan, who was born in 1775, was made a Commander in 1804, and a Captain
in 1810. He died in the latter rank on March 4, 1844. He had been given a C.B. in
1815.— W. L C.
8 James, 23 ; Troude, 193 ; J. de La Graviere, ' Souvenirs, ii. 23. The names of the
French ships were changed purposely in the last-named work. Captain Jurien protested
to his senior officer that the supposed ships of the line were only merchantmen, but
to no purpose. The Franchise, after escaping, cruised for three weeks on the South
American coast without seeing a sail. " Was," asks the captain, " the damage which
we had caused to commerce worth the loss of two frigates with 700 men ? I am far
from believing it. ... 1 assert that commerce-destruction has only a secondary
importance in the general outline of war."
1800.]
THE "SEINE" AND THE "VENGEANCE."
533
On August 20th, the British Seine, 38, Captain David Milne, after
a six hours' chase, came up with the French Vengeance, 36, Captain
Pitot, off the coast of Puerto Eico.1 At 4 P.M. the French ship
opened fire with her stern-chasers. The Seine was not able to use
her broadside till 11.30, when she opened fire, taking up a position
on the Vengeance's quarter. The fire of the French directed at the
Seine's masts caused her to drop behind ; but the Vengeance, before
she escaped from her enemy, lost her foremast and main topmast.
Early on the 21st the Seine came up again, only to be once more
disabled, and once more to refit. At about 9 A.M. she closed the
Vengeance for the third time and fought the French ship till 10.30,
when the latter, with foremast, main topmast, and mizenmast gone,
and fearfully shattered in hull, struck her flag. She was quite
unmanageable. The Seine had her mainmast tottering, but was not
greatly injured.
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside. Meu.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Seine .
1146
48 '
Lhs.
498
281
13
29
42
Vengeance
1180
50'
434
326
35?
70?
105?
8-9 hours.
i Kach ship seems to have fought one extra gun at an empty port on the engaged broadside. Troude gives
the Vengeance forty carriage-guns and a broadside of 311 Ibs.
The Vengeance was purchased for the Navy, but saw no service.
On September 3rd, eight boats from the Minotaur, 74, and
Niger, flute, under Commander James Hillyar, of the latter, rowed
in to cut out from Barcelona the Spanish corvettes Esmeralda, 22,
and Paz, 22. 2 The British boats on their way in boarded a Swedish
merchantman bound into the port, but quitted as soon as she was
within range. The boats, as soon as the Spaniards opened fire,
dashed at the Esmeralda, and carried her, following up their success
by rushing the Paz. Both ships were carried off in the face of
Spanish gunboats and batteries, with a British loss of only three
killed and six wounded.
On October 9th, the East Indiaman Kent, 26, Eobert Eivington,
master, after a long and obstinate resistance, was captured in the
Bay of Bengal by the French privateer Confiance, 26, Eobert
1 James, 23 ; Troude, 215.
2 'Annual Kegister,' 1801, v>. 87; James, iii. 27 ; Brenton, i. 515.
534 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1800.
Surcouf -1 The Kent was not supplied with sufficient muskets to resist
the French boarders, who behaved very badly — as, indeed, privateers-
men of both nations only too often did. Rivington fell in the action.
On October 22nd, the French corvette Venus, 28, was captured
in the Atlantic by the British ships Indefatigable, 44, and Fish-
guard, 38. 2
In the evening of October 27th, the boats, under Lieutenant
Francis Beaufort, of the British frigate Phaeton, 38, Captain James
Nicholl Morris, cut out from under the guns of the fortress of
Fuengirola, near Malaga, the Spanish polacca San Josef, 14. 3 The
Spaniards made a desperate resistance, but could not stand against
the valour of the British seamen, whose loss was only one killed and
four wounded. The San Josef lost nineteen wounded. She was
purchased for the Navy, and renamed the Calpe.
An action which is important as illustrating the value of non-
recoil mountings, was that of November 13th, between the British
schooner MilbrooJc, of sixteen 18-pr. carronades, mounted on non-
recoil principles,4 and a large French privateer, the Bellone, off
Oporto. The MilbrooJc, Lieutenant Matthew Smith (2), fired eleven
broadsides to the enemy's three. The Bellone was of far superior
orce,5 and succeeded in escaping.
On November 17th, a British squadron, under Captain Sir
Bi chard John Strachan, discovered the French corvette Heolaise, 20,
running along the Morbihan coast, and attempting to gain the
shelter of a battery.6 She was cut off from it by the Nile, cutter,
Lieutenant George Argles, and ran aground in Port Navalo, striking
her colours. The boats of the squadron approached to cut her out,
but she rehoisted her colours, got off the ground, and fired on
them. This only postponed her fate, as the boats returned, and,
1 Norman, ' Corsairs of France,' 353. [Robert Surcouf, one of the greatest of the
French corsairs, was born at St. Malo in 1773, and first went to sea, in a merchantman,
in 1789. He was engaged in the slave trade, even after the traffic had been formally
abolished by the Republic in 1794, and was in consequence arrested, but, escaping,
became a privateer. In the East Indies he was extraordinarily successful. He was
at length appointed an unattached enseigne in the navy, but did not serve as such ;
and, after 1802, contented himself with fitting out privateers, until 1806, when he
returned to the East Indies, and gained further successes. After the peace he lived
as a shipowner and shipbuilder till his death in 1827. Laughton, ' Studies in
Nav. Hist.'— W. L. C.]
2 Troude, 220. 3 James, 33. 4 lb., iii. 35.
6 Mounting twenty-four long 8-prs., and six or eight 36-pr. carronades. — W. L. C.
6 James, 36 ; Troude, 220.
1801.] THE "MELPOMENE" IN THE SENEGAL. 535
under a heavy fire, boarded and destroyed her, with the loss of one
killed and seven wounded.
On the night of January 3rd, 1801, five boats from the Melpo-
mene, 38, Captain Sir Charles Hamilton, crossed the bar of the river
Senegal, and, without being discovered, approached the French brig
Senegal, 18, Captain Renou, at anchor in the river.1 They were
close to her when she fired, and sank two of the boats. The others
pushed alongside her, boarded her, and carried her after a short
struggle. The British boats then proceeded to attack a schooner,
which had run under the shelter of a battery, but were repulsed.
In taking the Senegal out she grounded on the bar, and no efforts
could get her off. She was, therefore, abandoned, and the boats
rowed back to the ship. The loss was heavy, as out of a total
of ninety-six officers and men engaged, eleven were killed 2 and
eighteen wounded. The Senegal was totally lost in the quicksands
on which she had struck.
On January 17th, the small British schooner Garland,3 and
some boats, the whole under Lieutenants Kenneth M'Kenzie and
Francis Peachey, approached the French schooner Eclair, at anchor
under the batteries of Trois Rivieres in the island of Guadeloupe,
under the Swedish flag, boarded her, and carried her off with the
loss of five men.
On January 20th, the British Mercury, 26, Captain Thomas
Rogers, in the Mediterranean, fell in with and captured the French
Sanspareille, 20, Lieutenant G. Renaud, then on her way to Egypt
with stores and ammunition for the French army.4 Some days
previously, in the Gulf of Lions, the same British ship had cap-
tured fifteen sail of a French convoy.
On January 23rd, the late Spanish Nuestra Senora de los
Dolores, 1, acting as tender to the British Abergavenny, 54, cap-
tured in the most gallant way a Spanish preventive schooner, the
Santa Maria, 6, on the South American coast.5 The tender chased
the Spaniard ashore, followed her and grounded, when a number
of British seamen, led by Lieutenant Michael Fitton (actg.),
swam off to her, sword in mouth, and carried her. She was then
destroyed.
1 James, 118; Troude, 245.
2 Including Lieut. William Palmer, Lieut, of Marines William Vyvian, and Mid-
shipman Robert Main. — W. L. C.
3 Troude, 246; James, 120. 4 James, 119; Troude, 247. 6 James, 123.
536
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1801.
On January 26th, the British Oiseau, 36, Captain Samuel Hood
Linzee, off Cape Ortegal, sighted the French Dedaigneuse, 36,
Captain Lacroix, on her way from Cayenne to Eochefort.1 The
French ship was in very bad order. Amongst other defects, the
bolts of her cut-water had worked loose and given the bowsprit
too much play. Other British frigates, the Sirius, 36, and Ame-
thyst, 36, came into sight, and the Dedaigneuse turned and headed
for Ferrol. A long chase followed, but late in the night of the
27th -28th the Sirius and Oiseau began a running fight. Off Ferrol
harbour the French vessel was becalmed, whilst the British pursuers
were carried down upon her by a breeze from the sea. After four
broadsides the Dedaigneuse' 's captain was wounded. The French
ship struck, seeing another British frigate, the Immortalite, ap-
proaching. The British suffered no loss, and very little damage.
The French loss is unknown.2 The Dedaigneuse was purchased
for the Navy.
On January 29th the British corvette Bordelaise, 24, Captain
Thomas Manby, off Barbados, found three French vessels standing
after her.3 These were the Curieux, 18, Captain G. Eadelet,
Mutine, 16, Captain Reybaud, and Esperance, 6, Captain Hamon.
The British ship shortened sail arid waited. The Curieux came
up, and was at once attacked, whereupon her two consorts beat
a prompt retreat. All but two of the Bordelaise s guns were
32-pr. carronades, and those made short work of her audacious
assailant. For thirty minutes the two fought at the closest quarters,
when the Curieux struck, after suffering terrible loss. Her captain
paid for his gallantry with the loss of his life. The Curieux
foundered almost immediately after the action, two British seamen
going down in her.
Tons.
Guns. Broadside. Men. Killed.
\Vounded.
Total.
Bordelaise
625
24
Libs.
361
195 1
7
8
Curieux .
—
18
78
168
—
—
{about
50
30 minutes.
1 James, 123 ; Troude, 248.
2 " Several killed and seventeen wounded," says the Gazette letter with the usual
vagueness.
3 James, 124.
1801.] THE "PIKEBE" AND THE "AFBIOAINE." 537
On February 18th, in the Southern Atlantic, the British Pen-
guin, 18, Captain Kobert Maiisel,1 fought a sharp action with three
unknown French ships, one looking like a corvette, and the other
two apparently merchantmen.2 The Penguin gave chase, and
compelled one of them to strike. On this she was assailed by the
corvette, and was so damaged in masts and rigging that she could
not pursue her antagonists, who then sheered off. Her foremast
went overboard, but her loss was only one man wounded.
On February 19th the British Phoebe, 36, Captain Eobert Barlow,
to the east of Gibraltar, discovered the French frigate Africaine, 40,
Captain Saunier, steering up the Mediterranean.3 The Africaine
was heavily laden, having, besides her crew, four hundred troops for
Egypt, six field-guns, and a quantity of arms and ammunition on
board. She had parted from the similarly freighted Eegeneree, 36,
some days previously. The Phoebe quickly overhauled her enemy,
and brought her to close action, steering a parallel course. The
French ship had her decks encumbered, and was at a great dis-
advantage. Her only chance lay in boarding the Phoebe, but this
Captain Barlow was adroit enough to prevent. The effect of the
Phoebe's well-directed fire upon the crowded decks of the Africaine
was deadly in the extreme. After two hours' furious fighting,
Captain Saunier and Commander J. J. Magendie, the two French
senior officers, were wounded, the ship was on fire in several places,
and had five feet of water in her hold, and most of her guns were
dismounted. She struck her flag.
—
Tons. Guns. Broadside.
Men.
Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Phoebe . .
926
44
Lbs.
407
239
1
12
13
Africaine
1059 44
334
715'
200
144
344
2 hours,
i Including JOO troops, etc.
This action shows clearly the disastrous result of encumbering a
warship with soldiers and cargo. The French troops, as a point of
honour, insisted on remaining on deck during the action, though their
1 Mansel had been posted on February 14th, but had not received his com-
mission.— W. L. C.
2 James, 125 ; Troude, 249 ; Log of Penguin.
3 James, 127 ; Troude, 250 ; Chevalier, iii. 47 ; Napoleon's Correspondence, 5514.
538 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
presence was useless, and even harmful ; and this contributed to
the terrific loss. It was only with extreme difficulty that the Phcebe
carried her prize into Port Mahon. The Africaine was purchased
for the Navy, and her name changed to Amelia. It appears that
the bad shooting of the French — who only put three shot into the
Phnsbe's hull — was due to Captain Saunier having planed down the
quoins before the day of battle, and to his having actually removed
them when the Phcebe was in chase of him. Thus the French
gunners were compelled to fire high and to endeavour to dismast
their enemy. This came to the knowledge of the First Consul, who
warned his officers that they were to fire, " not to dismast the
enemy, but to do him as much harm as possible."
On March 22nd, the boats of the Andromache, 32, and Cleopatra,
32, captured a Spanish gunboat on the Cuban coast, but only with
heavy loss— nine killed and twelve wounded.1
On the night of April 2nd-3rd, the boats of the Trent, 36, off the
islands of Brehat, captured a French lugger and her prize as these
were making for Paimpol. The British loss was two killed and one
wounded.
Early in April the Speedy, 14, Commander Lord Cochrane, cruising
off the Spanish Mediterranean coast, was decoyed close under the
guns of a heavy Spanish xebec disguised as a merchantman.2 To
escape was impossible ; to fight, taken unprepared, against such
odds, hopeless. Cochrane was sailing under Danish colours. His
ship was painted to resemble a Dane ; and he placed an officer, who
could speak Danish, in Danish uniform at the gangway, and caused
him to reply in Danish to the Spaniard's hail. Dissatisfied, the
Spaniard sent a boat, which was told that the supposed Dane was
from one of the Barbary ports, where the plague was then raging.
On this the Spaniards were only too anxious to be off.
On May 6th, the Speedy met a large Spanish frigate, the Gamo.
Sailing under American colours till he was close to his enemy,
Cochrane, in spite of two broadsides from the Spaniard, which did
him 110 damage, ran alongside, and fired his guns treble-shotted into
the foe. The Spaniards attempted to board, but, as soon as
Cochrane heard the order given, he sheered off, continuing his fire.
A second and a third attempt 011 the part of the Spaniards were
repulsed. Then, running under her big adversary once more, the
1 James, 130.
2 lb., 132; 'Autobiography of a Seaman' (1890 ed.), 43.
1801.]
THE "SPEEDY" AND THE "OAMO."
539
Speedy emptied her whole crew upon the Spaniard's deck, and the
Gamo was carried, though not without a struggle.
Tons.
Guns.
Broadside. Men. Killed.
Wounded.
Total.
Speedy . . 158
14
Lbs.
28
54
3
8
11
Gamo . . 600
32
190
319
15
41
56
45 minutes.
This is one of the most extraordinary actions of the war, and
exhibits in a brilliant light Lord Cochrane's audacity, judgment,
and fertility of resource. He carried his big prize safe into harbour,
but only with great difficulty.
On May 25th, the boats of the Mercury, 28, Captain Thomas
Eogers, attempted to cut out the ex-British bomb Bulldog from the
harbour of Ancona.1 The British seamen, according to Troude,
disarmed suspicion by answering the challenge in French, boarded
the Bulldog, and carried her without resistance being offered. They
then cut the cables which secured her to the mole, and had worked
her nearly to the entrance of the harbour when they were attacked
by a number of French boats, and forced to abandon their prize.
Their loss was two killed and four wounded.
On June 9th, the Kangaroo, 18, Commander George Christopher
Pulling, and Speedy, 14, Commander Lord Cochrane, attacked a
Spanish convoy off Oropeso, under the shelter of a Spanish bat-
tery, sank a 20-gun xebec and three gunboats, and captured three
merchant brigs.2 On July 3rd, Rear-Adrniral Linois' squadron,
of three French sail of the line and one frigate, captured the little
Speedy, 14, in the Strait of Gibraltar.3
On the night of July 20th-21st, the boats of the British frigates
Beaulieu, 40, Captain Stephen Poyntz, and Doris, Captain Charles
Brisbane, 36, made an attempt to cut out the French corvette
Chevrette, 20, which was lying in Camaret Bay, but failed to
arrive before day had dawned.4 They retired, but they had been
seen, and the Chevrette prepared for another attempt by embarking
a party of soldiers, which brought her crew up to 339, and by
loading her guns to the muzzle with grape. On the following night,
the boats of the above frigates with those of the Uranie, 38, Captain
1 James, 135 ; Troude, 254. 2 James, 135. 3 Ib., 97.
1 H., 137 ; Troude, 255; 'Nav. Chronicle,' 7, 216.
540 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1801.
George Henry Gage, as well, embarked 280 men, and rowed in.
Six boats, however, proceeded to chase a French look-out boat, and
did not return. The other boats,1 with 180 men, grew impatient,
and dashed at the Chevrette. They were received with a heavy
fire of great guns and small arms, both from her and from the
shore, but pressed on ; and the British seamen forced their way
on board. A party of topmen, appointed for that purpose, fought
their way up her rigging and spread her topsails, and presently the
Chevrette stood out of the bay. Meantime, the party on deck carried
the forecastle and quarter-deck, and drove the Frenchmen down the
hatches. As soon as that had been done the other six boats rejoined.
The Chevrette was carried off, though fired upon by the French
batteries. In the affair the British loss was twelve killed or missing
and fifty-seven wounded, whilst the French lost ninety-two killed
and sixty-two wounded. The gallantry of the British officers and
seamen was above all praise. The Beaulieu's quartermaster, Henry
Wallis, who had been ordered to take the Chevrette 's helm, fought
his way to his post, and continued at it, though badly wounded.
On July 21st, the British hired brig Pasley, 16, Lieutenant
William Wooldridge (1), fought a sharp action with a Spanish
xebec of twenty-two guns. The xebec escaped. The Pasley's loss
was one killed and two wounded.2
On July 31st, the British brig Sylph, 18, Commander Charles
Dashwood, off Santander, was engaged by a large ship of unknown
nationality — probably a French or Spanish privateer — and after
eighty minutes' close fighting had to retire.3 She was not pursued
by the strange ship. On August 1st, the Sylph saw her enemy at
some distance with her foreyard on the deck, and gave chase, but,
by reason of the heavy sea and her own injuries, could not close.
The Sylph's loss was one killed and nine wounded. Having re-
paired her damage, the Sylph, cruising off the coast of Spain on
September 28th, again encountered an unknown ship, and fought
her for over two hours, when the enemy retired. The Sylph only
had one man wounded. According to Dashwood, the stranger was
the French Artemise, 40. We may be permitted to feel the gravest
doubt as to this. It is impossible to believe that a large and powerful
1 Under Lieuts. Keith Maxwell, James Pasley, Martin Neville, and Walter Burke ;
Lieut, of Marines James Sinclair ; and Mids. Robert Warren. Sinclair and Warren
were killed, and Burke was mortally wounded. — W. L. C.
2 James, 149. 3 Ib., 145 ; Marshall, vol. ii. pt. i. 454.
1801.]
TEE "SISYLLE" AND THE "CHIFFONNE."
541
French frigate would have failed to inflict far heavier loss on a small
brig — if, indeed, she had not captured her. The matter remains a
mystery.
On August 18th,1 the British Sibylle, 38, Captain Charles Adam,
discovered the French Chiffonne, 36, Captain P. Guieysse in Mane
roads with her foremast out. The Sibylle prepared for battle,
steered in through a narrow intricate passage, and anchored two
hundred yards off the Frenchman, with springs on her cables. An
action of seventeen minutes followed, during which the Sibylle had
to take the raking fire of a French battery on the island. Then the
Chiffonne cut her cable, struck her flag, and drifted on a reef. The
Sibylle sent a boat to take possession, and another to capture the
battery, upon which she turned her guns. The battery then
surrendered.
Tons.
(jnns. Brojdside.
Men.
Killed. Wounded.
Total.
Sibylle . .
1091
48
Lbs.
503
217 n.
2
1
3
Chiffonne
945
40
370
190
23
30
53
17 minutes.
The Chiffonne was taken by surprise, and many of her men
were on shore. She was got off, and was afterwards purchased for
the Navy.
On September 2nd, the British Victor, 18, Commander George
Ealph Collier, off the Seychelles, engaged for ninety minutes the
French Fleche, 18, Captain J. B. Bonamy.2 The Victor had the
heavier metal and soon drove her enemy to flight, but, having
received serious injury in her masts and rigging, could not pursue
closely. The Victor followed at a distance till the 5th, when the
Fleche had disappeared. That afternoon, however, she saw her
entering Mahe. The channel was sounded at night, and next day
the Victor stood in and anchored with springs, taking a raking fire
during her approach. A fight of two and a half hours followed,
when the Fleche, in a sinking condition, cut her cables, drove on
shore, and was set on fire by her crew. A British party boarded
her, but she fell over and sank.
1 James, 131, gives the date as April 19th. Troude, 259, gives the date as
August 20th. Log of Sibylle.
2 James, 143 ; Troude, 262.
542
MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802.
[1800.
Tons.
Gnus. Broadside.
Men.
Killed. Wounded.
Total.
Lbe.
Victor . .
18 262
120
0
2
2
1
18 78
145
4
?
9
4 hours.
The Fleche was eventually raised by the French.
On September 16th, the ex-British bomb Bulldog was recaptured
off the south coast of Italy by the British frigates Mercury, 26, and
Sta. Dorotea,1 36.
For the minor actions of the Eevolutionary war we have the aid
of the invaluable Naval Chronicle, and of the painstaking James,
who appears to have carefully collated Gazette letters, logs, courts-
martial, and what French authorities were accessible in his day.2
The ship's logs were still kept in a most unsatisfactory way, especi-
ally in small craft. For instance, the British frigate Oiseau sights
the French Dedaigneuse, and the log is dumb. But towards the
close of the century there is a very distinct improvement, and, as
printed forms come into use, more care is exercised.
There is a great similarity about all the minor actions between
ships. One vessel sights another, gives chase, maintains a running
action, closes, rakes, or attempts to rake, gets the enemy's fire
under, and brings down his flag. The same characteristics which
prevented the French navy from achieving anything great in the
American war are exemplified in the frigate actions of this war,
where French ships are concerned. There is the same timidity, the
same straining after some ulterior object, the same dislike to
damaging the French ship in action, the same firing at the British
masts and rigging. To this the loss of at least one action can be
1 Troude, 263.
2 The authorities for this war are, besides James and Troude: Brenton, 'Naval
History ' (2 vols. 1837) ; Chevalier, ' Marine Francaise sous la Premiere Republique,'
and ' Sous le Consulat et 1'Empire ' ; the Naval Chronicle, which gives Gazette letters,
lives of eminent officers and much interesting matter; Schomberg's 'Naval Chron-
ology ' ; Courts-Martial, Logs, List Books, Captains' Letters and Admirals' Dispatches ;
the various biographies of great seamen — Nelson (Nicolas), Saumarez (Eoss), Pellew
(Osier), Dundonald, St. Vincent (Tucker), Keith (Allardyce), Durham (Murray);
Marshall's ' Naval Biography ' ; Ralfe, ' Naval Biography ' ; ' Dictionary of National
Biography,' the naval biographies in which, by Professor Laughton, are full of research.
The compiler takes this opportunity of acknowledging the value of the excellent
' Index to James's Naval History,' published by the Navy Records Society, which will
be found most useful.
1793-1801.] IMPORTANCE OF WEIGHT OF BROADSIDE.
543
directly traced ; * to this also are probably due in part the very
slight losses of men inflicted on British ships in several hotly fought
actions. British crews invariably fired at the hulls of their
opponents, and strove to kill the men rather than to disable the
ship. Chance, as in all battles, plays a considerable part. Israel
Pellew shoots away the CUopdtre's wheel, and greatly contributes
to one of the most brilliant victories of the war.2 The bursting
of a gun leads not indirectly to the Ambuscade's defeat by an
inferior ship.3
In this war French ships usually carried large but undisciplined
crews and unskilled officers. In these circumstances they were
wise to follow Jean Bon Saint Andre's famous advice4— to " disdain
evolutions " and " attempt to board." Thus they could best employ
their masses of men. If the shooting of the French crews was
wretched — and how bad it was these actions show — the spirit and
fiery courage of the French sailors — seamen we cannot call them —
were above all reproach. They endured enormous losses in innumer-
able instances before they struck.
It is interesting to develop further the examination of the
influence of weight of metal upon the result of actions. In the
American war we have seen that there were very few instances
indeed in which the weaker broadside won. That is not the case
in the Eevolutionary war. Taking important and decisive single-
ship actions, the results can be tabulated thus —
—
Superior Hroadside Inferior Broadside
\Vius against. Wins against.
British ships .
1
1
French
21
7
Spanish „ .
4
2
Dutch
2
But in the French navy the circumstances were quite abnormal,
owing to indiscipline, want of seamanship, bad gunnery, and possibly
1 Forte and Sibylle.
2 Of. also Ross, ' Saumarez,' i. 101. The Reunion's wheel was shot away in her
action with the Orescent. The British gunners seem to have regularly aimed at the
wheel, rudder and steering-gear.
3 The Court-martial attributed the loss of the Ambuscade "to a rapid succession
of the most unfortunate accidents."
4 Chevalier, ii. 49.
544 MINOR OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793-3801.
— from a hint contained in one of Napoleon's letters — bad powder.1
The heavier broadside, even in these exceptional circumstances,
usually wins the day ; and nothing is more noticeable than the steady
increase in the force of frigates, so as to ensure having the heavier
broadside. The 28 -gun ship practically disappears ; the 32, the
standard cruiser of the American war, gives way to the 36, 38, 40,
or to the cut-down ship of the line. The evolution and development
which our own day has seen in the size of ships, progress steadily,
if slowly. We find, by the close of the war, such frigates as the
Forte superior by fifty per cent, in weight of metal to the old
50-gun vessel of the line.
In British frigates the carronade was given a very important
place. It became larger in calibre, and to a great extent replaced
the small guns— 6 and 9-prs. — which had been carried on the
forecastle and quarter-deck. In the smaller classes it frequently
constituted the entire armament except only for a pair of bow-
chasers. Owing to its lightness, ease of handling, and rapidity of
fire, it was most efficient in action at short ranges, when pitted
against long guns, as the instances of the Glatton, Pelican,
Wolverine, and Milbrook prove. In the last case, the British ship
with non-recoil carronades fired eleven broadsides to her enemy's
three. In fact the carronade was a quick-firer of large calibre but
very short range. The wonder is that enemies attacked by British
ships so armed did not select a longer range, for the carronade
was of little value outside four hundred yards. Probably the strong
objection to this weapon, which we find expressed by many ex-
perienced and able officers, was that it limited our tactics and con-
strained close action. In French ships of and above the size of
frigates, the 36-pr. carronade is regularly carried during this war :
in small French craft , however, there are often no carronades. In
Spanish vessels 24-pr. carronades are carried.2
The two conspicuous instances where British ships were taken
after a well-contested action, are those of the Leander and Ambus-
cade. The first was overpowered by a ship of more than twice her
strength, on which she had inflicted enormous loss ; the second was
beaten under peculiar circumstances by a ship of inferior force. She
had an indifferent Captain and a weak crew : she was surprised and
she was boarded.
1 Correspondence, 5476.
2 'Autobiography of a Seaman,' Cochrane, 51. The Gamo had two 24-pr.
carronades.
1793-1801.] DISPROPORTIONATE CASUALTIES. 545
Examining the seven important instances in which a French
vessel hauled down her flag to an inferior opponent, we find that in
three cases there were other British ships at hand. Even where
these do not fire a shot, the moral effect must be great. To fight
without a chance of success, when the sacrifice of life is productive
of no result, demands almost superhuman courage. The other four
instances are those of the Pique, Tamise, Vestale, and Forte. The
Pique was raked, and when we know that in the case of the Reunion
a single raking shot killed or wounded twenty-one men out of a
crew of 320,1 we see what that might mean. She was entangled
and held in an awkward position for some minutes under this
raking fire. The defeat of the Tamise was probably due to the
French trick of firing at the masts of the enemy ; and, in any case,
she was superior to the British ship which captured her by only ten
per cent, in weight of broadside. The advantage of the Vestale in
weight of metal was still smaller, and she was attacked by an
exceptionally smart captain, Bowen, the hero of Tenerife. She
inflicted heavy loss upon the victor. Lastly, the Forte was, if
French authorities can be believed, badly manned and most in-
differently commanded. She was superior by twenty per cent, to
the Sibylle, which captured her, but she fired high.
The Spanish instances need not be examined. As a fighting
force the Spanish navy was worthless, and it may be doubted
whether the hearts of the Spanish officers were in the war. The
same may be said of the Dutch in minor actions. The numerous
engagements with privateers — which are for the most part omitted
in these pages — are not very instructive. From want of discipline
a privateer, unless of quite exceptional size, was not formidable to
a man-of-war.
There are several remarkable instances wherein powerful French
ships were captured after a brisk engagement, in which the British
loss was trivial to a degree. The Crescent, Unicorn, Bevolutionnaire,
and Indefatigable each captured an enemy without having a man
killed or even seriously wounded. The losses they inflicted were
respectively 81, 51, 20, and 42. The first case illustrates the admir-
able skill in manoeuvring and seamanship of the best of our naval
officers.2 The Crescent's opponent was virtually equal in force, and
was superior in size. Other instances in which the British losses
were insignificant and the French losses very heavy are those of the
1 Ross, 'Saumarez,' i. 111. 2 lb., i. 112.
VOL. IV. 2 N
546 MINOS OPERATIONS, 1793-1802. [1793-1801.
Proserpine (9 killed and wounded to 75 killed and wounded in the
enemy), Seahorse (18 to 80), Lively (2 to 41), Santa Margarita (5 to
51), Sibylle (22 to 145), and Phoebe (13 to 344). In this last case the
enemy was crowded with troops, and the result was a simple
massacre. But to this result contributed the French practice of
firing to dismast. A British officer on board the Crescent noted
that " the enemy (the Eeunioii) fired so high that scarcely any shot
struck the hull of the Crescent." l In the A/ricaine, which the
Phccbe handled so severely, the French captain had actually removed
the quoins of his guns, to compel his men to shoot high.
The skill of the British officers and men is clearly shown by the
celerity with which they refitted their ships when damaged in masts
and rigging. The famous examples of the Vanguard in 1798 and
Saumarez's ships after their action with Linois belong to the major
operations. In the minor actions the instance of the Seine is very
striking. After some hours' firing she is so damaged by the French
Vengeance in her masts that she drops behind. She refits and comes
up again, and again is more or less disabled. A second time she
refits ; a third time she closes and then takes her enemy.
There are several actions in which British merchantmen repulsed
the attack of powerful French frigates or privateers ; one or two in
which they captured French ships through mistake on the part of
the latter. Such successes were, however, obtained by few but East
Indiamen. They were formidable-looking ships, having at a distance
the appearance of frigates or small vessels of the line ; and they
were usually well commanded, had disciplined crews, and invariably
carried a light armament of such guns as 9-pr. carronades and
12-pr. long guns. An East Indiaman, the Pigot, repulsed two
French privateers, together mounting sixty guns ; and five East
Indiamen captured these privateers some days later. Five East
Indiamen were mistaken by Sercey's squadron for ships of the line
and left unmolested. The French Medee surrendered to two East
Indiamen which she mistook for vessels of the line. In general
the merchant ship was too badly manned, too much encumbered,
too feebly armed, and too weakly built to have any chance against
the privateer, much less against the warship.
Very many of the minor actions took place in the Bay, the Bay
of Biscay, which was very thoroughly scoiired by British cruisers.
Taking the year 1796 we find that five 44's, ten 38's, five 36's, five
1 ' Saumarez,' i. 102.
1793-1801.]
DISPOSITION OF BRITISH CRUISERS.
547
32's, and eight sloops or brigs were cruising in the Channel and in
the Bay.1 Besides these, eleven small vessels were employed on
convoy duty. In the North Sea, off Brest with the Channel fleet,
and on the British coast, were yet more frigates and small craft,
whilst the List Book gives the strength of 44's, frigates, and small
craft on foreign station in January, 1797, 2 thus : 44's, seven ; frigates,
sixty-four ; sloops, etc., forty-four. Of these, most were engaged in
convoy duty, commerce protection, and watching the enemy's ports.
The total so employed was even larger in 1798-1801 than in 1796,
seeing that the Navy steadily expanded.
1 Schomberg, 4, 532, 533.
2 E. Indies.
Jamaica.
Leeward Is.
Mediterrauean.
Nova Scotia.
44's . . . { 3
2
1
1
Frigates . . 14
10
14
19
7
Small ... 5
10
14
10
5
2 N 2
( 548 )
APPENDIX TO CHAPTEES XXXV. AND XXXVI.
A.— LIST OF H.M. SHIPS TAKEN, DESTROYED, BURNT, FOUNDERED OB WRECKED
DURING THE WAR OP THE FRENCH REVOLUTION, 1793-1801, AND OF LOSSES
TO THE END OF 1802.
Year.
Date.
H.M. Ship.
I
Commander.
[* Lost his life on the
occasion.]
Remarks.
1793
May 27
Jlysemt ....
24
Capt. William Hargood.
Taken by Concorde, 40, In W. Indies.
June 1
Advice, cutter .
4
Lieut. Edward Tyrrel.
Wrecked on Key Bokell, Honduras.
Oct. 4
Thames ....
32
Capt. James Cotes.
Taken by three French frigates, going
. to Gibraltar. Retaken, June 7, 1796.
Nov. 20
Scipion ....
74
Accidentally burnt off Leghorn.
Dec. 16
I'igmy, cutter . .
14
(Lieut. Abraham Pulll-l
i blank.* )
Wrecked on the Motherbank.
., 18
Vigilante, cutter .
4
Taken by the French at Toulon.
„ 18
Alerte ....
14
(Not in commission.) , Taken by the French at Toulon.
,, 18
Conflagration, f.B.
14
Com. John Loring. Burnt on evacuation of Toulou.
„ 18
Vulcan, f.B.
14
,, Charles Hare. Expended at Toulou.
„ 18
Union, gunboat
Blown up at Toulon.
Vipere, cutter .
4
Wrecked in Hyeres Bay.
1794
Jan. 7
Mosaic ....
24
„ t ichard Henry Alex-j 'j'afcen ou entering Toulon by mistake.
,, 30
Amphitrite .
18
Capt. Anthony Hunt. Wrecked in the Mediterranean.
Feb.
Spitfire, cutter . .
6
Com. T. W. Rich.*
fCapsized off San Domingo, with all
I bauds.
Mar. 8
( Convert (ex /nmn-1
1 stanf) . . . . 1
32
Capt. John Lawford.
Wrecked on Grand Cayman.
Apr. 11
l Proselyte, floatg.1 „.
( batt 1
Com. Walter Serocold.
Sunk by batteries at Bastia.
,,
Ardent ....
64
Capt. Robert M a n n e r s i
Sutton. J
(Accidentally blown up off Corsica,
1 with all hands.
May 8
I'lacentia .
Lieut. Alexander Shippard.
Lost at Newfoundland.
„ 10
Castor ....
32
Capt. Thomas Troubridge.
(Taken by Adm. Nielly's squadron off
I Cape Clear.
Alert
16
Com. Charles Smith.
Taken by Unite, 40, off Ireland.
June 28
JtOK
28
Capt. Matthew Henry Scott.
Wrecked on Rocky Point, Jamaica.
Speedy ....
14
Com. George Eyre.
Taken by French frigates, off Nice.
Hanger, cutter .
14
Lieut. Isaac Cotgrave.
Taken by a French squadron, off Brest.
July 14
Hound ....
16
Com. Richard Plercy.
(Taken by Seine and Galatr'c, coming
I from W. Ind.
Aug. 24
Jmpetueux .
Scout
74
16
(Not in commission.)
Com. Charles Robinson.
Accidentally burnt at Portsmouth.
(Taken by two French frigates, off Cape
1 Bona.
Nov. 6
Alexander .
74
(Rear-Adm. Richard Rod-)
1 ney Bligh. /
(Taken by a French squadron off
{ Sicily.
,, 26
Pylades ....
16
Com. Thomas Twysden.
Wrecked on Isle of Nest, Shetlauds.
„ 26
Actif, brig . . .
Espion ....
10
16
„ John Harvey (2).
„ William Hugh Klttoe
Foundered off Bermuda.
Taken by three French frigates.
Dec. 22
Daphne ....
20
(Capt, William Edward)
(. Cracraft. J
(Taken by two French men-of-war.
I Retaken, Dec. 28, 1797.
179r>
Mar. 7
Benvick ....
It
,, Adam Littlejohn.
(Taken by the French fleet hi the
\ Mediterranean.
., 14
Illustrious .
74
Frederick. J
Wrecked near Avenza.
May 1
Royne ....
Mosquito, floatg. batt
98
5
„ George Grey.
Lieut. William McCarthy."
Accidentally burnt at Spithead.
Lost on coast of France with all hands.
June
Flying Fish, schoou
6
„ George Seaton.
(Taken in W. Ind. by two French
1 privateers.
Aug. 2
Diomede ....
44
Capt. Matthew Smith (1).
Wrecked near Trincomale.
Oct. 7
Censeur ....
74
,, John Gore (1).
(Taken by a French squadron off C. tt.
\ Vincent.
Nov. 12
Fleche ....
14
Lieut. Charles Came.
Wrecked in San Fiorenzo Bay.
Dec. 9
A'emesis ....
28
Capt. Samuel Hood Liuzee.
(Taken by two French men-of-war at
1 Smyrna. Retaken, March 9, 1T96.
11
Shark, Dutch hoy .
4
1 lent. Watson.
Carried by her crew into La Hougue.
„ 29
Awethyst
38
Capt. Thomas Affleck.
Lost at Alderuey.
1796
Scourge ....
16
Com. William Stap.
Foundered off the Dutch coast.
BRITISH LOSSES, 1793-1802.
549
Year.
Date.
H.M. Ship.
O
Commander.
[* Lost his life on the
occasion.]
Remarks.
1796
Feb. 11
Ijeda
36
Capt. John Woodley.*
Capsi/ed in a squall.
,. 12
St. I'isrn . . .
Wrecked off Pt. Negro.
Apr. 4
Spider, hired lugger
Lieut. James Oswald.
Collided with Kamillies.
„ 11
Co, Ira ....
80
Capt. Charles Dudley Pater.
(Accidentally burnt in San Fioremo
May 13
Salisbury .
50
„ William Mitchell.
Wrecked near San Domingo.
June 10
-irab
16
Com. Stephen Seymour.*
W^ recked near Point Peumarck.
July 15
Trompeuse .
16
f ,, Joshua Rowleyl
[ Watson. j
Wrecked near King-^ale.
,,
Active ....
32
iCapt. Edward Levesoui
L Gower. )
Wrecked in the St. Lawrence.
Sirine ....
16
Com. Daniel Gueriu.*
Wrecked in the Bay of Honduras.
Aug. 27
(Undaunted (exl
1 Arethuse). . . j
38
Capt. Robert Wiuthrop.
Wrecked on Moraut Keys.
Bermuda
14
Com. Thomas Maxtone.*
Foundered in Gulf of Florida.
Sept. 22
Ainphion
32
Capt. Ibrael Pellew.
Accidentally burnt in Hamoaze.
Oct. 2
Experiment, brig .
10
Lieut. George Hayes.
[Taken by the Spaniards in the
{ Mediterranean.
„ 3 Narcissus .
20
Capt. Percy Fraser.
Wrecked off New Providence.
„ 10 Malabar. . . .
54
„ Thomas Parr.
Foundered coming from W. Ind.
„ 20 Poulette. . . .
26
Edwards.
Burnt at Ajaaiu, as unserviceable.
„ 20
Hellette ....
24
Com. John Temple.
Bunit at Ajaccio, as unserviceable.
Xov. 3
Helena ....
14
f „ Jermyn J ohni (Foundered on Dutch coast, with all
1 Symonds.* ] A hands.
lt
ftcrbice, brig
8
Lieut. John 'J resahar.
Wrecked at Dominica.
M
Vanneau, brig .
8
,, John Gourly.
Wrecked at Poito Ferrajo.
Dec. 7
Reunion ....
36
(Capt. Henry Williaml
\ liayntun. j
Wrecked in the Swin.
,, 14
Vestale ....
36
Retaken, alter capture, on Dec. 13.
19
Courageux .
74
„ Benjamin Hallowell.
Wrecked below Ape's Hill.
„ 21
Bombay Castle .
74
., Thomas Sotheby.
Wrecked in the Tagus.
„ 24
Cormorant .
18
Lieut. Thomas Gott*
/Accidentally blown up at Port au
\ Prince.
„ 27
Hussar ....
28
Capt. James Coluett. Wrecked near Jsle Bas.
„ 31
Curlew ....
18
(Com. Francis V e n t r i si
( Field.* J
Foundered in the North Sea.
1797
Jan. 2
( f, Henry Harding)
( Parker.* j
Foundered off the Shannon.
Hermes ....
,. William Mulso.*
Foundered at sea.
',', 14
Amazon ....
36
(Capt. Robert Carthew Key- 1
\ uolds. /
Wrecked near Isle Bas.
Feb. 24
Hloom, tender .
14
Lieut. Andrew Congalton.
Taken by the French, off Holyhead.
., 24
Hrighton, tender .
14
Taken by the French, off Holyhead.
Apr. 27
Album, floatg. batt.
60
Capt. Henry Savage.
Wrecked in the Swin.
„
Tartar ....
28
{ " "^one^169 ElphiD"}: Wrecked off San Domingo.
May 17
(Providence, dis-i
1 covery ship . . J
16
( „ WilliamRoberti
( Broughtou. /
Wrecked in the Pacific.
|(
Ijacedeiitonian .
12
Com. Matthew Wrench. Taken by the French in the West Indies.
(
Port K'tyaf.tKkwm.
10
Lieut. Elias Man. . Taken in the West Indies.
Juue 15
fortune ....
16
Com. Valentine Collard.
Wrecked near Oporto.
July 24
Fox, cutter .
Lieut. John Gibson.*
Destroyed before Santa, Cruz.
„ 31
Artois ....
38
Capt. Sir Edmund Nagle. Wrecked on the French coast.
„ 31
Mignonne .
32
{ " HnousehiUP Wode~} Burnt aa unserviceable at Porto Ferrajo.
Sept. 22
Hermione .
32
„ Hugh Pigot (2).*
(Carried by mutinous crew into La
{ i.uaira.
Nov. 16
Tribune ....
32
„ Scory Barker.*
Wrecked off Halifax.
M
Hope, hired lugger.
10
Run down in the Channel.
Dec. 27
Hunter ....
18
Com. Tudor Tucker.
Wrecked on Bog Island, Virginia.
.
Growler ....
12
Lieut. John Holliugsworth.* | ^.nvv_j^,ats
Min/t
18
Com. Thomas Hay ward.*
Foundered iu the China Se >s.
Pandmir
14
Lieut. Samuel Mason.*
Foundered in the North Sea.
Resolution .
14
„ William Huggett.* Foundered at sea.
(Marie Antoinette,
\ schoou.
10
,, John M'luerbeny.* { JVMI n W I^ort'11'''
1798
Jan. 3
George ....
6
., Michael Mackey. Taken by two Spanish privateers.
Feb. 3
Jtai'en ....
18
(Com. John William Taylor*
I Dixon. j
Wrecked at the mouth of the Elbe.
Apr. 4
Pallas .
32
Capt. Hou. Henry Curzon.
Wrecked on Mount Batten Point.
12 Lively ....
32
„ James Nicoll Morris.
Wrecked near Ilota Point, Cadiz.
May 23 De Kraak . . .
16
Com. James Drew.*
Capsized in the Delaware.
Juue 23 Kmxr ....
16
,, George Irwin.
Wrecked in the Gulf of St. Lawrence.
,, 29 Pit/iie . . . .36
Capt. David Milne.
Wrecked ou the French coast.
July 18 Aiyle ,33
„ Charles 'lyler(l).
Wrecked off Cape Farina.
24 Ketistanee ... 44
,, Edward Pakenham.*
(Accidentally blown up in the Strait of
i Bauca.
„ 26 Garland. ... 28
,, James Athol Wood. Wrecked off .Madagascar.
(Princess Royal.) .
\ cutter . . . .)
Taken by a French privateer.
550
BRITISH LOSSES, 1793-1802.
Year.
Date.
H.M. Ship.
|
Commander.
[* Lost his life on the
occasion.]
Remarks.
1798
. (£trMsco,armedi
A»8- 15 { transport. . .)
24
Com. George Reynolds.
Foundered coming from the West lud.
18
Leander ....
50
(Capt. Thomas Bou 1 den) (Taken by the Geiwrtux, 74. Retaken,
I Thompson. (1 March 3, 1799.
„ 26
Crash ....
(Lieut. Kulkley Mackworthi (Taken on the coast of Holland. Re-
l Praetl. j,\ taken, AuKUSt 11. 1799.
Oct. 13
Jason ....
38
Capt. Charles Stirling.
Wrecked near Brest.
Nov. 12
Petrel ....
16
Com. Charles Long.
(Taken by three Spanish frigates. Re-
l taken, November 13, 1798.
„ 26
(Med u s a, armed]
I transport . . .J
50
,, Alexander Becher.
Wrecked on the coast of Portugal.
M
Margaret, teuder .
Lieut. John Pollexfen.*
Lost off the Irish coast.
Dec. 3
Kingfisher .
18
/ „ Frederick Lewis)
I Maitlaud (2). j
Wrecked ou Lisbon Bar.
,, 10
Colossus ....
?4
Capt. George Murray (3).
Wrecked off Sicily.
,» 14
Ambuscade .
32
„ Henry Jenkins.
Taken by Mayonnaise, 28.
Hamadryad
36
,, Thomas Elphinstone.
Wrecked off the Portuguese coast.
.\eptune, lugger
6
Gormer.
Run down off Beachy Head.
! Caroline, tender .
Lieut. Whittle.*
Lost in the East Indies.
1799
Jan. 7
Ajiollo ....
38
Capt. Peter Halkett.
(Wrecked on coast of Holland; crew
I saved.
,, 12
Weazel ....
14
Com. Hon. Henry Grey.*
(Wrecked in Barnstaple Bay; nearly
l all lost.
Feb. 1
Proserpine . . . \ 28
Capt. James Wallis.
Wrecked in the Elbe ; nearly all saved.
2
Nautilus
16
Com. Henry Gunter.
(Wrecked off Flamborough Head; crew
1 saved.
Charlotte, schooner
8
Lieut. John Thicknesse.
(Taken by the French, off Cape Frau-
l cois. Retaken, Nov. 22.
Mosquito, schooner
6 ,, Thomas White.
Taken by Spanish frigates off Cuba.
(Grampus, storeship)
1 (54) . . . *.}
26
Capt. George Hart.
(Wrecked on Barking Shelf; crew
1 saved.
Mar. 18 Torride .... 2
IfTaken by French, Egypt. Retaken
1 same day.
Apr. 22
Jirave, Itigger, hired
12
/Lieut. Gardiner Henryl
( Guion. /
Run down in the Channel ; crew saved.
Muy 8
fortune ....
10
„ Lewis Davies.
/Taken by French frigates ; coast of
1 Syria.
fDame de Grace,)
/Taken by French frigates; coast of
"
1 gunboat . . ./ '
I Syria.
„ 23
Ueux Amis .
14
„ Henry Smith Wilson. (W^dou the I?le of Wi«ht* crew
June 6
William Pitt, lugger
14
Haswpll if Taken by Spanish gunboats ; Mediter-
l raueau .
Julv 7 t^ene^°Pe' cutter,!
( hired ..../'
Daniel Hamline (Taken by N. S. del Carmen ; Mediter-
( raueau.
Aug. 28 Contest .... 14 „ John Ides Short.
(Wrecked on the coast of Holland;
\ crew saved.
Sept. 28 fiiaw?Ae,storeshipC32') 18 ' Com. John Ayscough.
Wrecked in the Texel ; crew saved.
„ 28
Fox .
(Lieut. William Woold-> /Wrecked in the Gulf of Mexico; crew
14 1 ridge (?). Ml saved.
Oct. 9 T.utine .... 36
Capt. Lancelot Skyuner.*
Wrecked off Vlieland ; nearly all lost.
,, 12 Trincmnale . . . ! 16
Com. John Rowe.*
Blown up in action ; crew lost.
" 1 T6-O t
Capt. George Tripp.
[ Wrecked on coast of Holland ; nearly
1 all saved.
19 Imprei/nnMe . . 98
„ Jonathan Faulkuor (2).
Wrecked near Langstone ; crew saved.
„ 25
Amaranthe .
14
Com. Johu Blake.
Wrecked on coast of Florida ; 22 lost.
Nov. 5
Orestes ....
18
„ William Haggitt.*
Foundered in the East Indies ; crew lost.
, ,IEsfion (ex Atn-i
" \\ (ante), St. sh. (38))
16
,, Jonas Rose.
Wrecked on the Goodwin ; crew saved.
Dec. 5 Sceptre .... 64
Capt. Valentine Edwards.* Wrecked in Table Bay ; 291 lost.
,, 25 Etiuilion. . . .38
,, John Clarke Searle. | Wrecked off Peumarch ; crew saved.
1800
Jan. 5
Xattiff ....
12
Lieut. James Watson (l).
Wrecked near Yarmouth; nearly all
. saved.
„. / Weymouth, armedi
'' t transport . . .)
26
Com. Ambrose Croftou.
Wrecked on Lisbon Bar; crew saved.
„ 26 \ Brazen . . . . , 18
„ James Hanson.*
Wrecked uear Brighton ; all but one lost.
Mar. 10 ; Jtepulse .... 64
Capt. James Alms (2).
Wrecked off Ushaut ; nearly all saved.
„ 17
Queen Charlotte . ioo {capt'^udrew Todd*h< }
(Accidentally burnt off Leghorn ; nearly
all lost.
„ 17
7>a«ae(exraiJtante) 20
,, Lord Proby. Carried by mutinous crew into Brest.
May 17
Tromptuse .
18
Com. J- Parker Robinson.* .{SugposeU foundered in Channel ; crew
„ 17
KaiUeur.
14
John Raynor.* (Supposed fouudered in Channel ; crew
"
Lftdy Jane, hiredj g Lient ^ Bryer * • f Supposed foundered in Channel ; crew
„ 20
Cormorant . . . ; 20 Capt. Hon. Courtenay Boyle. W recked on-coast of Eevpt; crew saved
Jllly 7 ' Comet, f.S. . f'oni. Thomas Lwf V.TtwnHpd in DimnnprritiP Rnarl
,, 7 falcon, f.s. . . .
, , 7 Jtosario, f.s.
. . | „ Henry Samuel Butt. , Expended in Duuquerque Road.
. . 1 „ James Carthew. Expended in Duuquerque Road.
7 '
i
. . ' „ John Edwards (2). Expended in Dunquerque Road.
BRITISH LOSSES, 1793-1802.
551
Year.
Date.
H.M. Ship.
i
o
Commander.
[* Lost his life on the
occasion.]
Remarks.
1800
Aug. 10
Dromedary, store-i
1 ship . . . .)
(Com. Bridges Watkinsoni
-4 I Taylor. /
Wrecked near Trinidad ; crew saved.
Sept 6
Stag ....
32 Capt. Robert Winthrop.
Wrecked in Vlgo Bay ; cvew saved.
„ 26
Hound ....
(Com. William James Tur-\
8 \ quand.* )
Wrecked near Shetland ; crew lost.
I,
Diligence . . . 18 { " ^Ro^3™ "'"*'}
Wrecked near Havana ; crew saved.
Oct. 9
Chance (ex Galgti) 18 j " ^tovin"' Samuel(
Foundered in W. 1 iidies ; nearly all lost
„ 13
Rose, hired cutter .
10 Lieut. Smith.
Taken by the Dutch hi the Ems.
,,
Martin ....
(Com. Hon. Matthew St.l
Clair.*
Supposed foundere I in N. Sea; crew
L lost.
Nov. 4
Marlborouiih .
74
Capt. Thomas Sotheby.
Wrecked near Belle Isle ; crew saved.
„ 9 Ramk .' . . .
16
Com. Philip Bartholomew.
Wrecked off Jersey ; crew saved.
,, 23 Albanaise . . .
14
Lieut. Francis Kewcombe.
Carried by mutinous crew into Malaga.
,,
Active, cutter .
12
„ J Hamilton.
f Taken by French and Dutch hi the
1 Ems. Retaken, May 1(>, 1801.
Dec. 2 !S'rTb°»t«* Pasley,\
1 brig . . . ./
16 i ii C J Neviu.
(Taken by two Spanish gunboats,
\ Mediterranean.
Urchin, gun vessel .
| " f, . ,' • . \ Foundered in TeUian Bay.
1801
Jan. 1 ' Reguin ....
10 .. Samuel Fowell.
Wrecked near Qoibenm ; crew saved.
Q l Constitution, hired!
1 cotter . . . .)
( „ William Humphrey) (Taken by two French cutters. Retaken
12 t Faulknor. ' M same night.
,, 29 Incendiary, f.s.
(Com. William Dal 1 i n g) (Taken by the squadron of M. Gan-
Dunn. )\ theaume.
Feb. 2 Legere ....
18
„ Cornelius Qniutou. {^Xved1 Cart3geiW' S' AmeriCa '
„ 10
Sprightly, cutter . 13
Lient. Robert Jump. {"^SSJS ""* s'inadron of Jt' Gan-
„ 13 Success . ... 32 Capt. Shuldham Peard. JTaken^by the squadron of M. Gan-
„ 14 Telegraph, hired brig
„ 27 HuUdog, bomb . .
16
18
Litut. Ca>sar Corsellis.*
Com. Barriugtou Dacres.
Supposed foundered off Cape Ortegal.
(Taken by the French at Ancona. Re-
I taken, Sept. 16, 1801.
iCharming Molly,)
\ cutter . . . .) ••
D. Sheriff, Master.
Foundered coming from St. Marcou.
,, Lurcher, hired cutter 12
Lieut. R Forbes.
Taken by a French privateer.
Mar. 16 TnvincMe . . .
74
(Rear-Adm. Thomas Totty."! (Wrecked on Hasborough Sand ; nearly
K'apt. John Rennie.* l'\ all lost.
„ 23 Blazer ....
12
Lieut. John Tiller.
(Taken by the Swedes at Wai-berg ;
\ restored.
„ 24 Fulminante.
10
,, Robert Corbetl.
Wrecked on coast of Egypt.
, 25 Scmtt.
18
Com. Henry Duncan (2). 1 {lj^w'18at^, SWl*es' isle of "' lgM '
,, .Vancy, hired cutter
6
Lieut. J Yames. Taken by a French privateer.
June 9 .\feleager.
32
(Capt. Hon. Thomas Bladenl (Wrecked on the 'Iriaugles, Gulf of
1 Capell. j{ Mexiw; crew saved.
„ 24 Siuiftsure . ,
74
„ Benjamin Hallowell. f^^mt ^ ^^^ °f M' G<U1"
Fvrtc
44
{ " ''Hardyma'"'1"1811"} Wrecked a, Jeddah ; crew saved.
„ , Speedy .... 14
Com. Lor<l Cochrane. Taken by the squadron of M. Linols.
July 5 Hannibal ... 74
Cupt. Solomon Ferris. Taken by the squadron of M. Liuois.
7
Augustus, gun-vessel i
Lieut. James Scott. {W£v5d in 1>lymouth Souud; cr6W
,, 21 Jason ....
36
Capt. Hon. John Murray.
Wrecked near St. Malo ; crew saved.
„ Iphigenia . . .32
Com. Hassard Stackpoole. {^w^ed. ^^ " Aiesananm ;
Aug. 11 Lowesloft . . .
32
Capt. Robert Plampin. {W^f °ff JuagUa' W' Iudie8; CTeW
Sept. 4 Proselyte . . .
32
,, George Fowke. | crew^a^d ' " ' m> '
Oct. 25 Bonetta ....
18
Thomas New (Wrecked on the Jardines, Cuba ; crew
Nov.
Utile
(Com. Edward Jekyll
6 { Canes.*
(Capsized In the Mediterranean; crew
I lost.
(Cockchafer, hired
g \ V Philpot. Foundered off G uerusey ; crew saved.
1 lugger
,,
( Friendship, guu-
l vessel . . . .
2
Foundered off Guernsey ; crew saved.
Sabet ....
(Capt. Jemmett M a iu-v (Supposed foundered in the W. Indies;
*" \ waring.* ji\ crew lost.
1802 M«T. 2
Sensible .
Com. Robert Sause.
Wrecked off Ceylon ; crew saved.
„ 29
Assistance .
60 Capt. Richard Lee.
f Wrecked near Dunquerque ; crew
\ saved.
Scout,
18 ,, Henry Duncan (2).*
(Foundered off Newfoundland j crew
I lost.
Flu
14 Com. Thomas Duvall.*
( Foundered off Newfoundland ; crew
I lost.
552
FRENCH LOSSES, 1793-1801.
LIST OF ENEMY'S MEN-OF-WAR TAKEN, DESTROYED, OR BURNT, AND, so FAR AS
CAN BE ASCERTAINED, WRECKED OR FOUNDERED DURING THE WAR OF THE
FRENCH REVOLUTION, 1793-1801.
B.— FRENCH.
Year.
1793
Date.
French national sbip.
[* Added to the Royal Navy.]
Feb. 15 Leopard . . .
, Yeiujeur (supposed).
Apr. 16 I Gotland
May 21 I (Unknown
1'rompte*
June 3 Curieux, brig . . .
Vanneau
Eclair*
Is Cleopatre (*as Oiseau).
July 25 Lull HI:
Aug. 29 Commerce de M-irseilles * .
Pompee*
Puissant*
Section*
Arettnise ^*as Undaunted)
Topaze*
Perle(*e.s Amethyst) . .
Aurnre*
Lutine* as 32
Akeste
Poulette*
Belelte*
Proselyte *
Moselle*
Embroye (?)
Mulet
Sincere
Petite Aurore ....
Tarleton
Sept. Convention Rationale .
Oct. 11 ' Imperieuse*
„ 17 | Modeste*
20 Reunion *
Nov. 25
27
„ 30
Dec. 18
1.704
Jan. 12
,, 23
Feb. 19
Mar. 16
,'! 17
',', 28
Apr. 23
Inconstante (*&s O/nvert).
Monde
Espiegle *
Triowphant ...
Iiestin
Centaure
Duguay Trouin ....
Heros ......
Liberte (ex Du-tateitr).
Suffisant
Theniistocle
Tricolor (ex Lys) ...
Victorieute
Montreal
Iris
Avyuste
Caroline
Sans Culotte
ficvolutionnuire . . . .
Vengeur
Trompeuse *
Vipere*
Minerre (* as Sim f-'ioremo) .
Fortunee
Acttf*
Esptigle*
Bienvenue (*as Undaunted) .
Avenger
IMerte
Pomone *
Babet*
Engageante*
Fate.
M Medals granted In 1849, in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June 1st, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captains' gold medals.
Foundered in Cagliari Bay.
Wrecked near Ajaccio.
Taken by Penehipe. 32, Capt. B. S. Rowley, W. Ind.
Destroyed by the Spaniards at St. Pietro.
'Taken by Phaetuti, 38, Capt. Sir A. S. Douglas, B. of
Biscay.
[Taken by Inconstant, 36, Capt. Aug. Montgomery,
W. Ind.
Taken by Colossus, 74, Capt. C. M. Pole, B. of Biscay.
Taken by Leda, 36, Capt. Geo. Campbell, Medit.
Taken by Jfymphe, 36, dipt. E. Pellew, off Start. M
Taken by Pluto, 14, Com. J. N. Morris, Newfoundland.
Taken at Toulon by Lord Hood.
(Given to Sardinians. )
(Given to Neapolitans.)
(Given to Spaniards.)
Taken by Commod. John Ford, San Domingo.
Taken by V.-Ad. John Gell, off Genoa.
Taken by Berifurd, 74, Capt. R. Man (3), etc. , off Genoa.
[Taken by Crescent, 36, Capt. J. Saumarez, off Cher-
[ bourg. M
fTaken by Penelope, 32, and Iphiyenia, 32, off San
( Domingo.
Taken by iMtona, 38, and Phaeton, 38, off Ushant.
Taken by Ifi/mpkf, 36, and Circe, 28, off Ushant.
Destroyed at the evacuation of Toulon.
Taken by Blanche, 32, Capt. Christ. Parker (2), VV. lud.
Taken by fphinx, 90, Capt. Richl'Lucas, off C. Clear.
Taken by Flam, 36, Capt. Sir J. B. Warren, Channel.
Taken at San Fiorenzo.
Destroyed at San Fiorenzo.
Taken by Iphigenia, 32, Capt. Pat. Sinclair, W. Ind.
Taken by V.-Ad. Sir J. Jervis, at Martinique. ( . .
„ „ „ „ IM
Taken by Alligator, 28, Capt. Thos. Sumdge, Jamaica.
Taken by Commod. Sir J. B. Warren, off Isle Bas.
(Taken by Concorde, 36, Capt. Sir R. J. Strach.in.
i Channel.
FRENCH LOSSES, 1793-1801.
553
Year.
1795
Date.
Apr. 23
May 5
5
5
„ 21
„ 23
!,' 25
„ 29
June 1
„ IV
„ 18
Aug. 10
Sept. 1
Oct. 21
„ 30
Nov. 30
Dec. 2
„ 27
„ 30
Jan. 5
Fell. 10
„ 20
„ 26
liar. 2
„ 13
., 14
,, 29
Apr. 10
„ 11
15
„ 16
„ 23
May 9
,',' 17
" 28
„ 28
„ 30
June 23
July 3
„ 13
French national ship.
[* Added to the Royal Navy.]
buguay Trouin.
Atalante (*as Espion).
Inconnue
Heche *
MosMe*
Courier, cutter .
Eepublicain ....
Castor * .
Juste*
Xans Pareil * ....
Amerique (*as Impetueux)
Achille
Northumberland
Impetueux
Ycngeur
Sibytte*
Xarcisse, cutter ....
Melpomvne*
Mignonne*
Augu&te, brig ....
Providence, brig . . .
Ca Ira, g.b
Volontaire
Alerte
Xirau*
Reprisal
Quartiili
Revolutionnaire* .
Jacobin (*as Matilda').
Revenge (* as ffobart) .
Carmagnole, schooner .
A sloop
Ktjiublicain
A schooner
Duquesne
Pique*
Esperancf
Xeptune
Xcipion
Neuf Thermidor .
Superbe
Duras
Iphigenie
Jiequin*
Curieuse, schooner .
Espion (* as Spy) .
Tourterette *
fa. Ira*
f'enseur*
Ttmeraire, cutter .
Rt'-publicaine ....
Speedy*
Jean Hart (*as Arab) . .
Gloire*
flcntille*
Jean Hart (*as laurel) .
Expedition
Galatee . ....
Eclair, g.v.*
I'rache /few, g.v.*
Prewyanto, en flute (40)*
liaison, enflt"ite(24)* . .
Courier Rationale .
Prompts ....
Liberte
Tigre*
Alexandre *
>brmidaMe (*as Hclleisle)
Minerve *
Perdrix*
Vesuve, g.v * ....
Alcide
Echoue
Fate.
M Medals granted in 1849, in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June 1st, 18)7.
M Flag-officers' aud Captains' gold medals.
Taken by V.-Ad. Sir J. Jervis, Guadeloupe.
Taken by Orpheus, 32, Capt. Hen. Newcome, E. Ind.
Taken by Xwiftsure, 74, Capt. Chas. Boylcs, near Cork.
Taken and burnt by Lord Howe.
Taken at Bastia by Lord Hood.
Taken by Aimable, 32, Capt. Sir H. Burrard, off Hyeres.
Taken and scuttled by Lord Howe. Channel.
Taken and burnt by Lord Howe, Channel.
Betaken by Varysfmt, 28, Capt. Fras. Laforey, off
Laud's End. M
Taken by Lord Howe, Ushant 1 50 lea gues E. i N .
MM
Sunk „
(Taken by Romney, 50, Capt. Hou. W. Paget, at
I Mlooni. M
Taken by Aurora, 28, Capt. W. Essiugton, off Shetland.
Taken by Lord Hood, at Calvi.
Driven ashore and destroyed, nenr Penmarck.
Driven ashore and destroyed, off P. du Raz.
Taken by Intrepid, 64, and C'hichester, 44, San Domingo.
Taken by V.-Ad. Sir Jolm Jervis, W. Ind.
Taken by Comrnod. Sir E. Pellew, off Sicily.
Taken by Commod. Sir E. Pellew, off Brest.
Taken by Ganges, 74, and Montagu, 74, W. Ind.
Taken by Resistance, 44, Capt. Edw. Pakenham, S.
Sunda.
Taken by Zebra, 16, W. Ind.
Taken by Heaulieu, 40, Capt. E. Iliou, \V. Ind.
Wrecked near Brest.
Taken by Blanche, 32, Capt. Eobt. Faulknor(3), W. Ind.
Taken by Bellow, 74, Capt. Geo. Wilson, W. Ind.
Taken by Hlanche, 32, Capt. Kobt. Faulknor (3),
W. Ind. M
Taken by Artjonaut, 64, Capt. A. J. Ball, America.
Wrecked in Audierne Bay.
Foundered in a gale.
Taken by Hellona, 74, and Alarm, 32, W. Ind.
Taken by the Spaniards, Medit.
Taken by Thalia, 36, Capt. Rich. Grindall, Channel.
Taken by Pomone, 44, Capt. Sir J. B. Warren, off Groix.
Taken by Lively, 32, Capt. Geo. Burlton, off Brest.
„ „ ,, „ offUshant. M
Taken by V.-Ad. W. Hotham (1), off Genoa!..
Taken by Dido, 28, Capt. Geo. Hen. Towry, Jledit.
Taken by R.-Ad. J. Colpoys, Channel.
(Taken by Inconstant, 36, Capt. Thos. Fras. Freniantle,
I Medit.
Taken by Cerbenu, 32, tmdSta. Margarita, 36, Channel.
(Taken by Attraa, 32, Capt. Lord Hen. Paulet, Channel.
' M
Taken by Hannibal, 74. Capt. John Markbam, Channel.
Taken by Commod. Sir J. B. Warren, off Rochefort.
„ off Belle Isle.
Wrecked near Peumarck.
Taken by Capt. Sir R. J. Strachan, coast of France.
Taken by Tlietis, 38, and lluisar, 28, Chesapeake) ..
Taken by'rhorn, 16, Com. Robt. W. Otway, W. Ind.
Sunk by Alarm, 32, Capt. David Milne, off Puerto Rico.
Taken by Lord Bridport, off Lorient.)
•M
Taken by Lowestoft, 32, and Dido, 28, Medit. M
Taken by Vanguard, 74, Capt. Simon Miller, off Antigua.
Taken by Melampus, 36, and Hebe, 38, off St. Malo.
Struck to Ad. Hotbam, but accidentally blew up, Medit.
[Run ashore and destroyed on Rue by Phaeton, 38, Capt.
I Hou. R. Stopford.
554
FRENCH LOSSES, 1793-1801.
Year.
1796
Date.
Aug. 16
, 22
Oct. 10
Nov.
Dec.
Apr. 13
„ 15
„ 20
„ 22
,. 21
May 2
4
Freuch national ship.
[» Added to the Koyal Navy.]
„ 10
„ 11
13
„ 22
July 12
Aug. 19
22
28
18
Oct.
Nov.
Ri'solue ....
Jii'publique, g.b..
Constitution, galley
Viyilante, galley
Suffisante * ...
Victorieuse * .
Assemblee Rationale .
Rude, g.v
Vigilante, cutter
Hans Culolte ....
Superbe
Jirutus
Kipttblicain*
Eceille
Droits du t'euple .
Pandore (*as Pandour)
Nemesis *
Sardine*
llonne Citoyenne * .
Aspic, cutter ....
Etouraie .
Favorite
Marsouin
Etoile, armed storeship
Altrte
Mutine, brig
Unite"
RubusU: (* as Scourge) . .
Unite (*as Surprise) .
/'«rpan(e(*as Jamaica) .
Viryinie *
Aurore
Ecureuil, lugger . . .
Abeille, cutter ....
Volcan
Cygne, cutter ....
Attienienne*
Genie, ketch
No. 12, g.b
Tribune .
Tamise (*as rfliames) .
mile .
Trois Couleurs, brig
Blonde, brig . . .
Proserpine (* as Amelia) .
Ij-gtre*
lienommet * .
16
Alerte 16
Andnmague 36
Elisalitth | 36
10
Uiza .
C'erf Volant ....
btonnant
Etna (*as Cormorant).
18
18
18
Deciits 28
Vaillant, brig 4
Fate.
M Mtdals granted in 1849, in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June let, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captains' gold medals.
Taken by Commod. H. Nelson, Alassio Bay.
Taken by Ad. Duncan, off the TexelV
(Driven ashore by Diamond, 38, Capt. Sir W. S. Smith,
I off Treguier.
(Burnt by Pomone, 44, Capt. Sir J. B. Warren, coast of
I France.
Taken by Childers, 14, Com. Rich. Dacres,off St. Brienx.
(Burnt by Aimaile, 32, Capt. Chas. Sydney Davers,
I W. Ind.
Taken by Vanguard, 74, Capt. Simon Miller, W. Ind.
Taken by Mermaid, 32, and Zebra, 16, W. lud.
Taken by Commod. Sir J. B. Warren, off Rochefort.
Wrecked off Trondhjem.
Taken by Caroline, 36, Capt. Wm. Luke, North Sea.
(Taken by Et/moml, 74, Capt. John Sutton, and consorts,
I off Tunis.
(Taken by Phaeton, 38, Capt. Hoi" Robt. Stop'l'ord, Cape
I Fiuisterre.
Taken by the Quebec, St. George's Channel.
/Burnt by Diamond, 38, Capt. Sir W. S. Smith,
t off Cape Frehel. M
(Taken by Alfred, 74, Capt. Thos. Drury, off Cape
t Finisterre.
Taken by Beaulieu, 44, Capt. Lancelot Skynner, W. Ind.
Taken by Commod. Sir J. B. Warren, coast of France.
Taken by Cormorant, 18, Com. J oseph Bingliam, W.Ind.
Taken by frigates in, the Bay.
(Taken by Revolutionna.it e, 38, and consorts, coast of
\ France.
Taken by Commod. Sir J. B. Warren, off the Saintes.
/Taken by Inconstant, 36, Capt. 'Ihos. Fras. Fremantle,
I Medit.
/Taken by Intrepid, 64, Capt. Hon. Chas. Carpenter,
:l W. Ind.
I/Taken by squadron of Sir E. Pellew, off the Lizard. M
\ (Indefatit/able.)
Taken by Cleopatra, 3t, Capt. Chas. Rowley, America.
!(Burnt by boats of Niger, 32, Capt. E. J. Foote, off
\ 1'enmarck.
;/T'akeu by Dryad, 36, Com. John King Pulling (actg.),
\ off Lizard.
(Taken by Spencer, 18, Com. And. Fitzherbert Evans,
I off Bermuda.
Taken by Ltoris, 36, Capt. Hon. Chas. Jones, off Scilly.
(Taken by Albacore, 16, Com. Robt, Winthrop, off
\ Barbados.
Taken by Commod. H. Nelson, at Oneglia.
Taken by Unicorn, 32, Capt. Thos. 'Williams (4), |
t Ireland. I ...
l(Ex Brit. Thames'). Betaken by Sta. Margarita, ( ""
I 36, Capt. T. Byam Martin, Ireland.
Taken by Southampton, 32, Capt. Jas. Hacnamara (2),
off Hyeres. [vl
Taken by Commod. Sir E. Pellew, off Ushant.
Taken by l>ryad, 36, Capt. Lord Amelius Beauclerk,
off C. Clear. M
Taken by Apollo, 36, and Bolt's, 36, off Scilly.
•Taken by Alfred, 74, Capt. Thos. Drury, off San
1 lomingo.
Taken by Carysfort, 28, Capt. Tlios. Alexander, E. Ind.
Destroyed by Commod. Sir J. B. Warren, near Arcachon.
Taken by V.-Ad. Geo. Murray (2), N. Amer.
Taken by Fury, 16, Com. Hy. Evans, W. Ind.
(Taken by ilagicienne, 32, Capt. \Vm. Hy. Rickette,
\ off San Domingo.
/Destroyed by Minerva, 44, and Melampus, 36, off
I Barfleur.
Taken by Melampus, 36, andCTiiMers, 14, coast of France.
(Taken by Lapwing, 28, Capt. Robt. Barton,)
{ W. Ind. (destroyed Nov. 28th). I..
(Destroyed by Lapwing, 28, Capt. Robt. Barton,?'"
I W. Ind.
FRENCH LOSSES, 1793-1801.
555
Year.
Date.
French national ship.
[* Added to the Koyal Navy.]
i
0
Fate.
M Medals granted in 1849, in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June 1st, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captains' gold medals.
(Taken by Quebec, 32, Copt. John Cooke (2), off San
I Domingo.
(Taken by Mermaid t 32, and Resource, 28, off San
\ Domingo.
„ 16
,, 30
Seduisant . ....
Scei-ola
74
44
Wrecked near Brest.
Foundered off Ireland.
(Taken by Diamond, 38, Capt. Sir R. J. Strachan, off
1797
Jan. 5
,. V
»i H
Justine, st. ship, en flute . .
Tortue* (later Arianej. . .
Ville de Lvritnt, en flute . .
Suffren, st. ship.
44
40
36
{ Alderney.
Lost off Irish Coast.
(Taken by Polyphemus, 64, Capt. Geo. Lumsdaine, off
I Ireland.
(Taken by Doris, 36, Unicorn, 32, and Druid, 32, off
i Ireland.
(Sunk by Majestic, 74, Dcedalus, 32, and Incendiary, 14,
,, 10
Atatante* ...
16
Taken by Phoebe, 36, Capt. Robt. Barlow, off Scilly.
ii 12
Allcyre, et. ship
(Taken by Spitfire, 16, Com. Michael Seymour (1), off
,i 13
Feb. 13
Droits de I'ffomme ....
Sun-eillante
74
36
(Wrecked in action with Indefatigable and Amazon, off
\ Peiimarck. M
Scuttled in Bantry Bay.
Taken by Matilda, 28, Capt. Hy Mitford, off Barbados.
Mar. 9
Resistance (* as Fishguard') .
40
22
(Taken by Han Fiorenzo, 44, and Xyniphe, 36, off)
I Brest. VM
Modeste . .
20
(Taken by Fox, 32, Capt. Pulteney Malcolm, off Vizaga-
Apr. 17
36
(Destroyed by Thunderer, 74, and Valiant, 74, off San
May 13
18
"
Taken by Vestal, 28, Capt. Chas. White, North Sea.
ii 29
Jfittine* . .
("Cut out by boats of Miner ve and Lively (Lieut. T. M.
Harrietts
Taken by Aiyle, 32, Capt. Chas Tyler, off Lisbon.
July 17
36
Aug. 11
Ft-eedotn, eu flute
A ship corvette
8
9?
(Taken and burnt by Commud. Sir J. B. Warren, coast
I of France.
Taken and bilged „ „ „
12
Taken and sunk „ „ ,t
ii 20
Ga'iett* .
Taken by Artthusa, 38, Capt Thos Wolley, Atlantic
„ 23
„ 27
Sept. 10
JSgalite, chasse-maree .
Petit DiaUe, cutter ....
E&poir * ...
8
18
16
Taken by Commod. 8ir J. B. \\ arreu, coast of France.
f'J'akeu and bilged by Commod. Sir J. B. Warren, coast
I of France.
Taken by Thalia, 36, Capt. Lord Hy. Paulet, Medit.
Oct. 9
„ 14
Itecouverte
Rangtr*
18
14
Taken by Unite, 36, Capt. Chas. Rowley, Channel.
(Taken by Imlefatiyable, 44, Capt. Sir Ed. Pellew, off
Nov. 6
• i 12
Venturier (ex Ranger'} * . .
14
16
Retaken by Galatea, 32, Capt. Geo. Byng.
Taken by < 'erberus, 32, Capt. John Drew ^2), off Ireland.
Mi-duse
40
Foundered on passage from America.
Dec, 22
36
Taken by Phoebe, 36, Capt. Robt. Barlow, off Scilly. M
., 28
Daphne* as 20 .
30
Retaken by Anso-n, 44, Capt. P. C. Durban), B. of Biscay.
1798
Jan. 5
Republique Triomphante . .
Cheri ....
14
26
Taken by Severn, 44, and Pelican, 18, W. Ind.
(Taken by Pomone, 44, Capt. Robt. Carthew Reynolds,
ii 16
Desiree
6
Taken by pinnace (Lt. Saiiil, Pym)of Habet, 20, W. Ind.
Feb. 16
20
Taken by Alfred, 74, Capt. Tbos. Totty, Guadeloupe.
„ 26
Apr. 5
• i 19
,i 21
May 1
Souris, chasse-maree .
Sainte Famille, chasse-man'e .
Arrogante, g.v.* ....
Hercule*
Quatorze Juillet
16
tj
74
74
(Taken by Badger, 4, JU. Chas. Papps Price, and
\ consorts, St. Marcou.
Taken by Impetueux, 78, and Sylph, 16.
Taken by Jaton, 36, Capt. Chas. Stirling (1), off Brest.
Taken by Mars, 74, Capt. Alex. Hood, off Becdu Raz. M
Accidentally burnt at Lorleut.
7
flibustier
Taken during attack on St. Marcou. M!"?^?"'
11 13
16
fC'ut out by boats (Lt. AVm. Russell) of Flora, 36, at
ii 31
\ Cerigo.
(Run ashore and destroyed by Hydra, 36, Capt. Sir Fras.
I l^atorey, near I,e Havre.
(Taken by Flora, 32, Capt. Robt. Gambier Middletou,
Egalite .... . .
?n
1 off fricily.
Destroyed by Aurora, 28, Capt. Hy. Digby, B. of Biscay.
•i 27
Sensible ....
36
Taken by Seahorse, 3tf, Capt. K. J. Foote, Medit
ii 30
(Taken by Jason, 36, Capt. Chas. Stirling (1), and Pique,
Aug. 1
Orient
Franklin (*as Canopus) .
120
80
.-'I
\ 36, Capt. David Milne.
Burnt in action with R.-Ad. Sir H. Nelson.
Taken in Aboukir Bay by R.-Ad. Sir H. Nelson, j
74
( Destroyed by her crew after action with R.-Ad.(M M
556
FRENCH LOSSES, 1793-1801.
Year.
Date.
French national ship.
[* Added to the Koyal Navy.]
a
Fate.
M Medals granted in 1849, In pursuance of 1,'ateUe
notice of June 1st, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captains' gold medals.
1798
Aug 1
74
(Taken in Abouklr Bay by R.-Ad. Sir H. Nelson.i
Spartiate *
74
74
and burnt.
Taken in Aboukir Bay by R.-Ad. Sir H. Nelson.
,. „
Aquilon (* as Aboukir) . .
74
74
and burnt ™
» >»
7 I
" "
Souverain Peuple^wQuerrier]
71
'16
It »1
36
Sunk in action with R -Ad Sir H Nelson t
. 3
14
(Cut out by boats (Lt. The*. Geo. Shortland) of J/«J-
7
it 11
«> 12
Vaillante (*as Danat)
Liguria (lieuoese) ....
tfjrtune (* as 10) ....
•M
26
18
?o
\ pomcne and Childers, Corigiou.
[Taken by Indefatigable, 44, Capt. Sir E. Pellew, B. of
I Biscay.
(Taken by Esmir, 16, Com. Loftus Ouvay Bland, 1..
I Medlt. I™
[Taken by Smiflsure, 74, Capt. Benj. Hallowell, coast
I of Egypt; retaken May sth, 1799.
(Taken by Hazard, 16, Com. Wm. Butterfleld, coast of
,. 22
6
I Ireland.
(Taken by Akmene, 32, Capt. Geo. Hope (1), off
ii 24
Divade * ... ...
IB
\ Alexandria.
Taken by Magnanimet 44, and Navul, 38, off Finisterre.
25
Y
(Taken by boats (Lt. Wm. Debusk) of Goliath, off
\ Aboukir; retaken Mar. 18th, 1709.
, 2
Oct. 12
13
//oc/je (_* as Ifonegal) . . .
Embuscade (*as Ambuscade').
CiKiuitU
liellone (*as Pioserpine) . .
74
36
36
36
36
(Taken by Commod. Sir J. B. Warren, coast of
I Ireland.
,, ,. ., M M
(Taken by Melampus, 36, Capt. Graham Moore, coast
,, IS
40
1 of Ireland.
(Taken by Anson, 44, rapt. I'. 0. Durham, and Kan-
,, 20
„ 29
Nov. 17
• i '^0
Immortality
Fulminant*, cutter ....
fbuine, lugger
40
8
a
20
(Taken by Fishi/uanl, 3*, Capt. 'i'hos. Byam Martin,
I off Brest. M
Taken by Jispmr, 16, Capt. I»ftus Otway Bland, Medit.
(Taken by Sylph, 16, Com. John Chambers White, off
I Brest.
Taken by Fhaetim, Ambufcade, and Staff, Channel.
1799
Dec. 28
F. b. 9
Wildiny, armed transport . .
14
36
(Taken by Spitfire, 20, Com. Michael Seymour, B. of
I Biscay.
(Taken by Haxlalus, 32, Capt. lly. Lidgbird Ball, Cape
„ 28
Forte *
44
I of Good Hope.
Taken by Siliylle, 44, Capt. Edwanl Cook, Bengal. M
Mar. 1
3
Marianne
I.eandtr *
4
51)
28
Taken by Commod. Sir W. S. Smith, coast of Syria.
(Taken by Russians and Turks at Corfu ; restored to
I Brit.
Taken by Russians and Turks at Corfu.
1H
llirondtil'-
16
6
(Taken by Telegrapli, 16, Lt. Jas. Anil. Worth, off Isle
\ Bas. M
Taken by Commod. Sir W. S. Smith, coast of Syria.
':: i;
f-oudie
Hanyereuse *
Marie Rose
l>am,e de Grace *
Deux /-Veres ......
Tor rifle
IS
6
4
4
4
2
16
Taken by Zealous, 'l4, Capt. Sarnl. Hood (2), Medit.
Apr. 4
fans QH artier
Jiebecctf, chasse-maree .
A corvette
14
16
16
(Taken by llanar, 20, Capt. Lord Proby, coast of
I France.
(Tak'-n by black Juke, 10, Lt. Jas. Nicolson, off
I Ushant.
Taken by Lion, 64, Capt. Mauley Dixon, Medit
June is
Aug. 20
,', 26
Aloestt*
Courageiise * . ....
Xalamiiie (*as 1C) ....
Alerte (*&s Minorca) . . .
Vestate
ffussard (*as Surinam') .
38
36
36
18
14
36
18
Ta^en by squadron under Capt. John Markbam, Medit.
(Taken by Clydr, 36," Capt. Chasl' Cunningham, mouth
\ of Garonne.
Taken by V.-Ad. Lord Hugh Seymour, Surinam.
Taken by Tamer, 32, (apt. Thos. Western, off Surinam.
Taken by Triton, 32, Capt. John Gore (2), off L< rient.
Oct. 10
12
Artthuse (*&s Raven) .
18
(Taken by Excellent, 74, Capt. Hon. Robt. Stopford, off
I Lorient.
( Blown up in action with Trincumale, 16, dm. John
( Rowe, Red Sea.
Wrecked off Lorient.
FRENCH LOSSES, 1793-1801.
557
Year.
1800
Date.
Nov. 22
Dec
J«n.
Feb.
., 10
„ 18
„ 19
Mar. 21
,, 30
Apr. 13
May 2ji
',', 31
June 1
„ 1'
July 2
„ 29
t)
Aug. 5
„ 24
„ 25
Sept. 1
„ 4
Oct. 'a
„ 22
Nov. 17
Jan. 3
„ 18
„ 20
28
French national ship.
[* Added to the Royal Navy.]
Kgyptienne, en flute, 44 . .
Eife (*a8.Vtmr<xT) . . .
Levrier . . -
Vengcur (ex Brit. Charlotte) .
Preneuse
Jtrule fiueitle
Pallas (*ia Pique). . . .
A polacre (Genoese) . . .
Vedette
Genereux *
Fate.
M .Medals granted in 1849, in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June 1st, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captain*' gold medals.
'ille de Marseille, at. ship
No. 57, g.v
Liffurienne
Guillaume Tell (*as Malta)
Diligente
Jfeptune, schooner ...
Dragon
Prima, galley
Legire, lugger . . .
Cruelle *
Insolente
Pochette, g.b
A chusse-maree
A chasse-maree
Diligente
Revanche
Thereie .
A lugger .
A gunboat
A gunboat
A cntter .
Desire* .
Cerbere ....
Boudeuse ....
Concorde ....
Medic
Diane (*as Xiobe) .
Vengeance . . .
Capricieuse .
Athen ten* (Maltese)
Dego (Maltese) . .
Cartagenoixe.
Quid pro Quo
Venut
1 I
M
1
].-.
80
6
4
14
2
8
16
18
2
in
6
12
4
20
12
(Taken by Solebay, 32, Capt. Stepb. Poyntz, off San
\ Domingo.
(Destroyed by boats (Lt. Ed. Grey) of Tremendous and
I Aibimant, oif I'ort Louis.
Wrecked off Brest.
Taken by Loire, Hanae, and consorts, coast etjf'airy
\ France. M \Harpy
(Driven ashore and destroyed by I'earl, 32, Capt. Sam.
t .las. Ballard, Medit.
(Taken by Triton, 32, Capt. John Gore (2), coast of
France.
Taken by E.-Ad. Lord Nelson, Medlt.
Taken by Aristocrat, 18, Lt. Corbet Jas. d'Auvergne,
I C. Frehel.
(Taken by Petrel, 16, Com. Fras. Win. Austen (1), near
( Marseilles. M
(Taken by Lion, 64, Fowlnyanl, 80, and! I'eneliipe.
( J'enelupe, 36, Medlt. M / Vincejv.
(Taken by cutter (.Master Buckley) of Calypso, 16,
l( W. Ind.
(Taken by Mayflower, privateer, Jas. Le Blair, coast ot
t France.
Taken by Cambrian, 40, and FisKyuard, 44, Channel.
Taken by boats under Com. Philip Beaver, Genoa.
Taken by fiettey, 16, l.t. Fras. Godolphln Bond, Medit.
(Taken by Mermaid, 32, Capt. Robt. Dudley Oliver, off
( Toulon.
(Burnt by boats (Lt. John Pilfold) of Impetueux, 78,
t B. of Biscay.
(Taken by boats of squadron of Sir J. B. Warren, off
t Penmarck.
(Taken by Craccnt, 36, Capt. Wm. Granville Lobb,
t W. Ind.
(Taken by Phoenix, 36, Capt. Laurence Wm. Halsted,
i Medit.
(Taken and burnt by boats (Lt. Hy. Burke) of Renown,
d, and Itefence, Bourgneuf Bay.
Keolaise . . .
Senegal .
Aurore * ...
Eclair (*as 12) .
fans Pareille .
Iledaigneuse * .
Curieuse . . .
Bombarde, g.v. .
i 64
S 64
; 36
! 8
28
(Taken by Dart, 30, Com. Pat. Campbell, Dnnqnerqne
I road. M
(Cut out by boat (Lt. Jeremiah Coghlan, actg., of Viper),
\ of fmpt-tuetix, Port Louis. M
Destroyed to provide fuel, Valetta.
!f Taken by Belliqucux, 64, Capt. Rowley Bulteel, and
\ consorts, off Rio.
Taken by Induunen Bombay Cattle and Exeter, off Rio.
(Taken by Northumberland, Genrreux, and Success, off
i Malta.
(Taken by Seine, 38, Capt. David Milne, in Mona
i Passage. M
(Taken by Termagant, 18, Com. Wm. Skipsey, off
I Corsica,
i Taken at the surrender of Valetta.
Taken by Gipsy, 10. Lt. Coryndon Boger, off Guadeloupe.
(Taken by Indefatigable, 44, and fishguard, 44, off
t Portugal.
(Driven ashore by Silt, 16, Lt. Geo. Argles, and burnt
) by boats (Lt. Wm. Hennah) of squadron.
(Cut out and destroyed by boats (Lt. Thos. Dick), of
t Melprmene, 38, Senegal.
Taken by Thames, 32, Capt WTm. Lukin, Channel.
(Cut out by Garland, tender, Lt. Kenneth Mackenzie,
) Guadeloupe.
Taken by Mercury, 28, Capt. Thoe. Rogers, off Sardinia.
(Taken by Oiteau, 36, Siriuf, 36, and Amethyst, 36, off
I Portugal.
(Taken by Hordelaii, 24, Capt. Thos. Manby, off L'ar-
\ bados ; foundered.
(Taken by Boadicea, 38, Capt. Rich. Goodwin Keate off
t Brest.
558
FRENCH AND DUTCH LOSSES, 1793-1801.
Year.
Date.
French national ship.
[* Added to the Royal Navy.]
5
Fate.
M Medals granted in 1849. in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June 1st, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captains' gold medals.
1801
Feb. 16
19
„ 20
Apr. 9
May 27
„ 28
June 23
July 12
„ 22
„ 25
Aug. 3
„ 10
,, 19
„ 21
Sept. 2
ii ii
», 7
,, 16
furieitte, xebec
Africaine *
Arc, cutter .....
6
40
14
26
1
16
8
74
20
10
38
2
36
1
32
36
64
44
40
36
32
32
18
18
Taken by Minorca, 16, Com. Geo. Miller, Medlt.
Taken by Plirebe, 36, Capt. Robt. Barlow, Medit. M
Taken by boots of Excellent, 74, Quiberon Bay.
Taken by Amethyst, 36, Capt. John Cooke (1), Channel.
/Taken by Arroijant, 74, Capt. Edw. Oliver Osborn,
i E. Ind.
Taken by Torso, 18, Com. Win. Ricketts, Medit.
(Taken by Heureux, 24, Capt. Loftus Otway Bland, off
\ Barbados.
fTaken by boats of Mercury, 28, and Torso, 18, G. of
( Venice.
Taken by R.-Ad. Sir James Saumarez, off Gibraltar. M
(Cut out by boats (Lt. Keith Maxwell) of Beauliev,
\ Doris, Uranie, and Robust, near Brest. M
(Taken by Determine, 24, Cart. John Clarke Searle, off
\ Alexandria.
(Taken by Prmione, 40, Capt. Ed. Levesou Gower, etc.,
I off Elba.
(Taken by cutter (Mid. Fras. Smith) cf Atalante, 16,
I Quiberon Bay.
Taken by fiibylle, 38, Capt. Cbas. Adam, off Seychelles.
(Taken or destroyed by boats (Lt. James John Charles
1 Agassiz) of Capt. Joiias Rose's squadron, near Etaples.
(Retaken by Pinnone, 44, Phanix, 36, and Minene, -14,
I off Vado.
Driven ashore ,, ,, „ ,,
Taken at capitulation of Alexandria; delivered to Turkey.
,, „ „ retained.
,, ,, ,, delivered to Turkey.
,, ,, ,, retained.
,, „ „ delivered to Turkey .
„ ,, „ retained.
/Sank after capture by Victor, 18, Com. Geo. Ralph
1 Collier, E. Ind.
(Retaken by Champion, 24, Capt. Lord Wm. Stuart,
I near Galllpoll.
Corresse (?) disp. vessel . .
fgypte
Tigre (suspected pirate) .
Chevrette
A corvette
Carrere*
Chiffonne*
4 howitzer- boats. . . each
Succes (* as Success)
Kravoure
Caitsse
Justice
It i> fit-nerve *
Unknown (Venetian) .
Unknown (Venetian) . . .
fleehe
Bulldog *
C.— DUTCH.
Year.
Ships of the 1 iatii vi.ni Republic,
rate. p A(lded to the Eoyai jjavy.]
i
Fate.
1795
1796
Aug. 13
„ 20
•i 22
„ 28
Oct. 22
Jan.
Mar.
*
Apr. 22
„ 23
May 12
June 8
July 6
Willemstad (* as Princess^) .
S
14
36
18
64
14
10
36
64
54
40
16
16
12
24
12
56
12
12
12
36
12
Taken by V.-Ad. Sir G. K. Elphinstone, Simon's Bay.
(Detained by Fortune, 16, Com. Fras. Wooldridge,
t Falmoutb.
Taken by Staff, Reunion, /si's, and Vestal, off Norway.
(Taken by Unicorn, 32, Capt. Thos. Williams (4), Irish
' station.
(Taken by Polyphemus, 64, Capt. Geo. Lumsdaiue,
1 Qneeustowu.
(Taken by Rattlesnake, 16, Com. Edw. Ramage, C. of
1 Good Hope.
Taken by R.-Ad. Peter Rainier (1), E. hid.
(Detained by Andromeda, Rangtr, and Kite, Firth of
I Forth.
Taken by V.-Ad. Rich. Onslow, at Plymouth.
Taken by Adm. Duncan, coast of Norway.
Taken by Commod. '1 hos. Parr at Demerara.
(Taken 'by PKanix, 36, Capt. Lawrence Wm. HalBted,
( etc., N. Sea.
(Driven ashore by Pegasus, 28, Capt. Ross Donnelly,
1 Vriesland.
(Taken by Sylph, 16, Com. John Chambers White, off
I the Texel.
Brought into Greenock by mutinous crew.
(Taken hy Roebuck, 44, Com. Alex. Saunderson Burrowes,
I off Barbados.
Jirak (*&s De Braak) . . .
Alliantie (* as Alliance, 20) .
Komeet (*as Penguin").
Maria Louise
Harlinr,en (* as Amloyna) .
Zejir (*as Eurus) ....
Zeelaml (* as Zealand}
Jirakcl*
Tholen (*as TViu/en)
Meermin (* as Miermin} .
Pijl *
Vluriheid
Thetix
Argo (* as Janus'} ....
Echo
Mercurius (* as Hermes') . .
Jason (* as Proselyte) . . .
DUTCH LOSSES, 1795-1800.
559
Year.
1796
Date.
ug.
Ships of the liatavian Republic.
[* Added to the Royal Navy.]
Dordrecht (.* as Dorlrecht)
Revolutie(*&*l'rince Frederick)
Maarten Harpertzoon Tromp'
(*as Van Tramp)
Castor (*as .^aldanha)
firave (* as Uraave) . . .
Bellona(*as Vindictive') . .
Xirene (* as Laurel)
Havik (* s.s Havick) . . .
Yrouw Maria
Fate.
§ ; M Medals granted in 1849, hi pursuance of Gazette
notice of June 1st, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captains' gold medals.
, (Surrendered to V.-Ad. Sir G. K. Elphinstone, Saltianha
64 If Day.
6k
7, (Taken by Adm. Adam Duncan in the battle (
il Camperdown.
72 I
1799
Oct. 24
Apr. 26
M»y
Aug.
(Taken by Resistance, 44, Capt.
E. Ind
lost.
retaken-'
Edw. Pakeuham,
(Taken by Sirius, 36, Capt. Rich. King (2), North
1 Sea.
Taken by Virginie, 44, Capt. Geo. Astle, E. Ind.
Taken by Arrogant and Orpheus, E. Ind.
12 (Retaken by Pylades, 16, Com. Adam Mackenzie, and
consorts, off Gronlngen. M
1
Sept.
Vrijheid*
Jupiter (* as Camperdown)
Haarlem * 68
lAdmiraal Tjerk Hiddes lie) „,
Vriei ("as Admiral Devries)!
lielijkheid* 68 I „ „ „ MM
Wassenaar 64
Hercules* (later Delft). . . 64
Delft 54 , „ „ sank.
Alkmaar* 56
Monnikendam 44
Embuscade .
Tange Frans (?) 10
Yvnye Lansier (?).... 10
Wakker(i) 10
Limbi .
Ternate .
Resource (?) .
Juno 4
Waakzaamheid * .... 24
Furie (* as Wilhelmina) . . 36
Helena.
Helena 12
fir ok .
A brig
Crash *
Aschuyt (*as Undaunted) . 2 | Taken by
Weerwraak, g.v 6 Burnt by
Kemphaan (*as Camphaan) .
Verwachtiny
Rroederxchap 54
Hector (* as Pandour). . . 44
Uuif 44
Expeditie 44
Belle Antoinette .... 44
Constitutie 44
Unie 44
Hddin* 28
Minerva (» as Uraak) ... 24
Venus (* as Amaranths) . . 24
Valk 24
Alarm | 24
(Washington (*as Princess of \ .„ /Surrendered to V.-Ad. Andrew Mitchell, in the Vlieter,
1 Orange) I II Texel.
nelderland* (64
iAdmiraal De Ruijter (* as 7^«1 ..,
{ Ruyter) )
Utrecht 64
Cerberus (* as Texel) ... 64
T^ijden * 64
lleschermer* 56
Ilatavier* 56
Amphitrite* 44
Mars (*«s Vlieter) rasee . . 44
Embuscadt* 32
GaUtie * 16
20
„ .,
16 i Taken by V.-Ad. Lord Hugh Seymour, Surinam.
ei (Taken by V.-Ad. Andrew Mitchell, Nleuwe Diep,
I Texel.
Oct.
19
If,
«
Valk
Draak
Gier*
Dolfijn (*as Dolphin)
Lijnx
Perseus ....
/Taken by V.-Ad. Andrew Mitchell, Znijder Zee, but
I lost Nov. 10th, 1799.
24 ;(Taken by Arrow, 28, Com. Nath. Portlock, andl
I Wolverine, 13, Com. Win. Bolton (1), off Vile. VM
24 | Surrenrtered to
,„ (Taken by boats of Circe. 28, Capt. Robt. Wiuthron,
12 \ River Ems.
560
DUTCH AND SPANISH LOSSES, 1795-1801.
Year.
Date.
Ships of the Batavian Republic.
[* Added to the Royal Navy.]
s fate.
1799
1800
Oct.
Aug. 23
Oct. 28
i, 30
4 gunboats .... each
A brig (*as Admiral Rainier)
5 gunboats
(Cut out by boats of Dart, Hasty, IJefender, Cracker,
\ and Isis, coast of Holland.
. (Taken by IHedalus, Centurion, Braave, and Sibvlle,
6 ( E. Ind.
(Burnt by Admiral Rainier, 16, Lt. Wm. Hngh Dobbie
" I (1), Carawang River.
Taken „ „
,.
D.— SPANISH.
Year.
Date.
Ships of the Spanish Royal
Navy.
[» Added to" the Royal Navy.]
2
O
Fate.
M Medals granted in 1849, in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June let, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captains' gold medals.
16
1797
Oct. 13
Nov. 2
„ 23
Dec. 2
„ 20
Feb. 14
Mahonesa *
Fan 1'io ... . .
Galgo
Corso*
Santa t'abina
Salvador d 1 Mundo * ...
.Stan Josef*
yan Nicolas* . .
34
18
18
18
40
112
112
80
80
(Taken by Terpsichore, 32, Capt Rich. Bowen, off Cape
\ deGata. M
Taken by Regulus, 14, Capt. Wm. Carthew, Atlantic.
Taken by Alarm, 32, Capt. Edw. Fellowes, off Grenada.
(Taken by Southampton, 32, Capt. Jas. Macnamara (2),
\ off Monaco.
(Taken by Minerve, 38, Capt. Geo. Cockbnrn, Medit. ;
1 retaken Dec. 21st, 1796. M
(Taken by the fleet of Adm. Sir John Jervis, K.B.,
( offC. St. Vincent.
MM
17
80
(Burnt to prevent capture by R.-Ad. Hy. Harvey (1),
71
liar. 12
Apr. 26
Gallardo ....
tanta Cecilia
tan Damaso*
Los Magellanes
Nirtfa (* as Hamadryad) .
It
34
74
4
34
11
Taken by R.-Ad. Hy! Harvey (1)', Trinidad. "
Taken by Docer, 44, Lt. Hy. Kent, coast of Portugal.
[Taken by Irresistible, 74, Capt. Geo. Martin (2), Lisbon
[ station.
(Destroyed by Irresistible, 74, Capt. Geo. Martin (2),
May 24
tNuestra Senora del Kosario)
20
Taken by Romulus, 36, and .Wahonesa, 34, off Cadiz.
June 21
San Francisco
14
16
:Taken by Santa Margarita, 36, Capt. Geo. Parker, off
. Ireland.
(Taken by Majestic, 74, Capt. Geo. Iilag<len Westcott,
1798
.May
11 8
July 15
Fan Antonio, packet
Jieceviso
6
6
34
Taken by Endymion, 44, Capt. Sir Thos. Williams ,4),
. off Ireland.
Taken by Aurora, 28, Capt. Hy. Digby, Lisbon station.
J^epi. 16
Nov. 13
15
Velosa Aragonesa, en flute
Petrel
(A brig on the stocks (* as Port \
{ Mahon) ]
3(1
16
Taken by Aurora, 28, Capt. Hy. Digby, off the Azores.
Retaken by Argo, 44, Capt. Jas. Bowen (1), Medit.
Taken at the capture of Minorca.
28
16
(Taken by Sta. ixjrotca, Stromboli, Perteus, and ISulldi g.
1799
Jail. 2
Feb. 6
,, 22
Mar. 16
i 19
Valiente, packet
Santa Teresa* . ...
Africa, xebec
(j'tiadalupe
Urea Cargadora ....
12
34
14
34
12
18
Taken by Cormorant, 20, Capt. Lord Mark Robt. Kerr,
. off Malaga.
Taken by Argo, 44, Capt. Jas. Bowen (1), off Majorca.
Taken by Espoir, 16, Com. Jas. Sanders, Medit.
Driven ashore by Centaur, 74, and Coi~morant,2Q, Medit.
Bnmt by Prompte, 20, Capt. Thos. Dundas, W. Ind.
(Taken by Cormorant, 20, Capt. Lord Mark Robt. Kerr ,
,1 24
May
June 23
July
fi'olondrina, packet.
Pdjaro, packet
yan Antonio
A'eKr .
4
4
14
14
Taken by Mermaia, 32, and Pylph, 14, off Corunna.
Taken by Alarm, 32, Capt. Robt. Rolles, G. of Florida.
Taken by Terpsichore, 32, Capt. Wm. Hall Gage, Medit.
Taken by Alarm, 32, Capt. Robt. Rolles, W. Ind.
4
Taken by York, 64, and consorts W. Ind.
Aug. 6
Sept.
Infanta ^waZia(*as Porpoise)
12
?
(Taken by Argo, 44, Capt. Jas. Bowen (1), coast of
Portugal.
Taken by Mayjkwtr, privateer, Medit.
8
Oct 17
Thetis
34
Taken by Ethaliim, 38, Capt. Jas. Young (2), ami
» I8
Santa Jirigida
34
Taken by Naiad, 38, Alcmene, 32, and Triton, 32, ofl
C. Finisterre.
SPANISH AND DANISH LOSSES, 1796-1801.
561
Year.
Date.
Ships of the Spanish Eoynl ^
Navy.
[* Added to the Royal Navy.] §
Fate.
M Medals granted in 1849, in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June lat, 1847.
M Flag-officers' and Captains' gold medals.
1799
Oct. 25
Nov. 15
Ifenmone (* as Retribution, 32) 34
/Cut out of Puerto Cubello by boats of Surprise, 32, Capt.
1 Edw. Hamilton. M M
(Taken by Crescent, 36, Capt. Win. Grauville Lobb,
1800
Jan. 26
Feb.
Apr. 7
June 22
2f.S. del Carmen . . . . ' 16
Cuervo 4
Oil-men* (as 36) ... 34
Horetitina * (as 36) ... 34
[TaktMi by Penelope, 36, Capt. Hon. Hy. Blackwood,
1 Medit.
Taken by Alarm, 32, Capt. Robt. Rolles, W. lud.
Taken by R.-Ad. John Thos. Duckworth, off Cadiz.
(Taken by Flora, 36, Capt. Robt. Gambier Middleton,
„ '29
A'.f. del Carmen, felucca . . 2
Gibraltar, g.b I o
Destroyed by Bonetta, 18, Com. Hy. Vanslttart, W. lud.
[Taken by Anson, -14, Capt. Phil. Calderwood Durham
Salvador, g.b 10
r Taken by Rattler t 16, Coin. John Mathias Spread,
July 27
Taken by Apollo, 36, Capt. Peter Halkett, off Havana.
Aug. 20
Yeloz 4
Taken by Clyde, 38, Capt. Chas. Cunningham, Channel.
Sept. 3
('oncepcidn (alias Esmeralda") . 22
Paz 22
[Cut out by boats (Com. Jas. Hillyarjof Minotaur, 74,
L and Niger, 32, Barcelona.
,, 30
Vivo n
[Takeu by Fishguard, 41, Capt. Thoe. Byam Martin,
Oct. 27
Nov. 10
San Josef, polacca .... 8
[Cut out by boats (Lt. Fras. Beaufort) of Phaeton, 38,
L near Malaga. M
/Taken and destroyed by Apollo, 36, Capt. Peter Halkett,
1801
Jan. 6
Taken by Hind, 28, Capt. Thos. Larcom, off Jamaica.
Slay 6
Gamo, xebec 30
(Taken by Speedy, 14, Com. Lord Cochrane, near Bar-
,, 16
Alcudia
'liaposo .
[Cut out by boats of Naiad, 33, an. I Phaeton, 38, near
L Pontevedra.
June 8
.1 9
(Sunk in action by Kangaroo, 18, and Speedy, 14, under
July 5
5 gunboats 1 . .
Sunk in action by R.-Ad. Sir Jas. Saumirez, Algeclraa,
„ 12
Heil Carlos '113
fan Ifermenegildo .... 112
1'erla 24
Burnt in action with R.-Ad. Sir Jas. Saumarez,)
. 8. of Gibraltar. 1..
Sunk after action ,,
Ang. 20
A'eptttno (pierced for 20) . .
Taken by boats of Fishguard, 44, Diamond, 38, and
. Boadicea, 38, Corunna.
Sept. 24
DANISH.
Year.
Date.
• Ships of the Danish Uoyal Navy.
! [* Added to tbe Royal Niivyjj
Apr.
74
ftjcelland ,
Jfolsteen* 60
Infcedstretten 61
Dannebrog 62
Prcevesteen 56
Valkyrien 4H
Jylland 48
Charlotte Amalle .... 26
Kronborg 20
Jtendsbwg 20
Nyborr) 20
Svardjltkm 20
I/aien 20
Agriershuus 20
Xcehesten 18
Fate.
Medals granted in 1849, in pursuance of Gazette
notice of June 1st, 1847.
I /Taken and burnt by V.-Ad. Lord Nelson, Copeu-^
I ha gen.
Taken by „ „ ,,
' Taken and burnt by ,, „ ,,
j Blew up after action with ,, ,,
' Tak^u and burnt by ,, ,, ,,
Taken and bunit by ,, „ „
[ Taken and burnt by ,, „ ,,
Takeu and burnt by „ ,, „
1 Takeu and burnt by „ ,, „
Driven ashore and burnt by „ ,,
Sank after action with „ „ ,,
Taken and burnt by ,, „ ,,
Taken and burnt by „ „ „
Sank after action with ,, , „ ,,
Taken and burnt by „ ,, „ /
VOL. IV.
2 o
ClfAITKB XXXVH.
itwsmsxns,
Hiu C'MJWBJm MAKKHAM, K.C.B., F,B,8.
t/< tU Pv»fe>— Phillip awl Bnter to Jvxaty Bay— Matthew
V'/y*<?« '/ fliwfeni ift tike I*vt*ttgat'/r— Wreek of tbe
filth.
AIT
rHK.V Lieutenant William Bobert Broughton
left the Chatham in 1793, and took home
« dispatches, crossing Mexico from San
<:H**K. BlaM to W:ra Cruz, it was under consideration
whether another surveying and exploring expedition
should not be sent to the North Pacific. Captain James King
hod observed that the navigation of the sea between Japan and
China offered the largest field for discovery; and his remark
had received attention from the Lords of the Admiralty. The
result was that Lieutenant Broughton1 was appointed to the
I'roiiidcnce with secret orders, on October 3rd, 1793. This vessel
was a sloop of war of 4(H) tons, carrying 16 guns, with a complement
of I l.r» men. Hhe had just returned from the service of conveying
bread-fruit plants from Tahiti to the West Indies, under the
command of Captain William Bligh. Broughton had three Lieu-
tenants under him, Xachary Mudge, George Forbes Freeman
Young, and James Giles Vashon ; Mr. John Crossley shipped as
astronomer, William Chapman was the Master, and John Cawley,
Master's Mate. On October 21st, 1794, the Providence sailed
from St. Helens, reached Sydney in August, 3795, and arrived
nl. Tahiti in the end of November.
Memories of Cook were dear to the Tahitians, who gave every
assistance to Knglish ships and supplied them amply with fresh pro-
visions After rating the chronometers at Point Venus, Broughton
' llroiiHliton wftH made n Commander in Jan. 1795, and a Captain on Jan. 28th,
I7H7. W. U C.
1796-7.] BBOUGBTON IN THE PACIFIC. 563
shaped a course for the Sandwich Islands. On December 17th, 1795,
he discovered a low island covered with trees, which he named
Caroline after the daughter of Sir Philip Stephens, Secretary to the
Admiralty. On January 8th, 1796, he anchored in Karakakoa Bay.
There the error and rate of chronometers was again ascertained,
and uniform kindness and goodwill were displayed by the natives.
The murder of Captain Cook, in a moment of blind rage, was deeply
deplored, for he had been loved and respected by them. At that
time Kamehameha I. had made himself sovereign of all the islands
but Kauai. From Hawaii the Providence went to Lahaina in Maui,
and thence to Waikiki Bay in Oahu, where Kamehameha was
preparing for the conquest of Kauai. Captain Broughton left the
Sandwich Islands on February 2nd, 1796, arriving at Nootka Sound
on the 15th of March ; and, after some stay in the Strait of Juan de
Fuca, anchored at Monterey in June. He then, with the advice of
his officers, decided upon a plan to survey the coast of Asia from the
island of Saghalien to the Nankin river, with the Kurile and Japan
islands, thinking that such survey would complete a knowledge of
the North Pacific, and would be very acceptable to geographers.
Returning to the Sandwich Islands, the vessel was steered thence
to the westward, and sighted the Japanese island of Yesso on the
12th of September. Broughton anchored in Endermo Bay, in the
island of Yesso, examined the whole western coast of Niphon, and
passed through the Strait of Sangaar into the Gulf of Tartary. On
November llth, the Providence was off the entrance to the Bay of
Tokio, and soon afterwards had a glorious view of Fusi-yama,
towering above the high land and covered with snow. In December
she arrived at Macao, where Commander Broughton purchased a
small schooner to assist him in the work of surveying. He took on
board fifteen months' provisions, and completed a thorough refit.
All the men were in good health, and the work was recommenced
with the brightest prospects in April, 1797.
But within a month the circumstances had entirely altered.
Broughton was navigating among the islands to the east of Formosa.
In the evening of May 17th white water was reported to Lieutenant
Vashon, the officer of the watch, ahead and on both bows. Directly
afterwards the ship struck upon a coral reef : the helm having been
put up, and the sails being all full. When Captain Broughton came
on deck his opinion was that, if the helm had been put a-lee on seeing
the danger, the ship would have cleared it. Vashon was tried by
2 o 2
564 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1793-1802. [1797-9.
court-martial, and dismissed his ship.1 The wind freshened, the sea
began to break with great force, and the leak rapidly increased on
the pumps. There was no hope of saving the vessel, which fell over
on her broadside ; and the people were all got into the boats. They
made sail, with the schooner, to the S.W., and were very hospitably
received on the island of Typing, or Myako-sima, by the inhabitants.
Returning to Canton, arrangements were made for passages home,
for officers and men, in the East India Company's ships.
Captain Broughton continued the survey in the small schooner,
with a select body of officers and men. His operations embraced
an examination of the Pescadores and Lu-Chu Islands, and of the
southern and eastern coasts of Japan ; and in August, 1797, he
was again off the island of Yesso. Passing through the Strait of
Sangaar, the little schooner was taken up the east coast of Yesso
and Saghalien to latitude 52° N. Captain Broughton came to the
conclusion that he would be unable to pass through the narrow
strait into the sea beyond. On September 16th, therefore, he
turned to the south, along the western side of the Gulf of Tartary,
a name given by Broughton on the 24th. He examined the coast
of Corea, and anchored in the harbour of Chosan, where he
was able to learn something of Corea and its inhabitants. Pro-
ceeding southwards in October, Broughton found himself among
the cluster of islands off the south coast of Corea, one of which is
Port Hamilton ; and he surveyed the large island of Quelpart. The
' only chart he had on board was that by Van Kuelen, which was
of little use as a guide ; and his surveys were laid down without
aid from other sources. The little schooner returned from her
adventurous voyage, and anchored safely in Macao Eoads on
November 27th, 1797. Captain Broughton and his officers then
took passages to England, arriving in February, 1799, after an
absence of four years. The narrative of his voyage was published
in 1804.
The most important results of Captain Cook's voyages of dis-
covery, were the colonisation of Australia and New Zealand, and
the establishment of large civilised communities of English race in
the southern hemisphere. On January 19th, 1788, nine years after
the great navigator's death, Captain Arthur Phillip arrived at
Botany Bay in H.M. brig Supply, followed by Captain John Hunter
1 He was also dismissed the service, but was reinstated, and reached the rank of
Captain on May 28th, 1802.— W. L. C.
1799.]
HUNTER AT SYDNEY.
565
in the Sirius, with six transports and three store ships.1 Soon after-
wards they removed to Port Jackson, a much better harbour three
leagues to the northward, where the town of Sydney was founded.
Captain Phillip was the first Governor of New South Wales. Early
in 1795, Captain Hunter arrived at Sydney with H.M.S. Beliance
and Supply, to relieve Captain Phillip. On board the Beliance
there was a young Midshipman whose ardour for discovery secured
'•
CAPT. MATTHEW FLINDERS, K.N.
for him the illustrious position of the foremost maritime explorer
of Australia.
The name of this Midshipman was Matthew Flinders. Born in
1774 at Donington, near Boston, in Lincolnshire, where his father
was a medical man, young Flinders was filled with a longing to go
1 Phillip flew a broad pennant as Commodore of the expedition, and left England in
the Sirius, with Hunter as his Captain, Lieut. Henry Lidgbird Ball commanding the
Supply ; but on Nov. 25th, 1787, Phillip shifted his broad pennant to the Supply, and
proceeded, leaving Hunter, in the Sirius, to follow. The six transports were the
Scarborough, Lady Penrhyii, Friendship, Charlotte, Prince of Wales, and Alexander,
having on board convicts guarded by Marines. The three store ships were the Golden
Grove, Fisliburn, and Borrowdale. — \V. L. C.
566 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1793-1802. [l795.
to sea by having read ' Eobinson Crusoe.' The boy succeeded in
learning navigation, and at length he was allowed to join the Navy
in 1790, on board the Scipio, 64, Captain Thomas Pasley, at Chatham.
He served in the Providence with Bligh, in the second voyage to
Tahiti, to transport plants of the bread-fruit to the West Indies, and
he was in the Bellerophon at the battle of the 1st of June, 1794.
Arriving at Port Jackson in the Reliance in September, 1795, Flinders
soon found that there was no survey of the coast, beyond Captain
Cook's general chart. He at once conceived a project to supply the
deficiency. In Mr. George Bass, the surgeon of the Reliance, he
had the good fortune to find a friend whose ardour for discovery was
equal to his own. Flinders and Bass determined to complete the
examination of the coast of New South Wales, by all such oppor-
tunities as the duties of the ship, and the means at their disposal,
would admit.
The plans of the young explorers were discouraged by the
authorities. They, however, had resolution and perseverance. All
official help and countenance were withheld. But they managed,
by their own unaided exertions, to equip a small boat called the
Tom Thumb,1 and they sailed in her with a crew consisting of them-
selves and one boy. In their first voyage they explored for a con-
siderable distance the George River, which falls into Botany Bay.
Their second enterprise was to examine a large river, which was
said to fall into the sea to the south of Botany Bay.
Leaving Port Jackson on March 25th, 1795, Flinders and
Bass sailed along the coast until, in the first watch of the 29th, a
gale of wind sprang up from the south. In a few minutes the waves
began to break. The danger to which the little boat was exposed,
was increased by the darkness of the night, and the uncertainty of
finding any place of shelter. Flinders steered with an oar, and it
required the utmost care to prevent the boat from broaching to.
A single wrong movement, or a moment's inattention, would have
sent them to the bottom. Bass kept the sheet in his hand, drawing
in a few inches occasionally when he saw a particularly heavy sea
following. The boy was kept constantly at work baling out. After
running for a hour in this critical situation, some breakers were
distignuished ahead. The boat's head was brought to the wind at
a favourable moment, sail and mast were got down, and the oars
were got out. Pulling towards the reef during the intervals of the
1 She was but eight feet long. Nav. Chron. xxxii. 181. — W. L. C.
1798-1800.] VOYAGES OF SASS AND FLINDERS. 567
heaviest seas, they found that it terminated in a point, and in a few
minutes they were in smooth water, under its lee. Such were the
perils that the ardent explorers gallantly faced in the ft^ise of
geographical discovery.
In 1798, Bass undertook a voyage to the southward of Port
Jackson in a whale boat, with a crew of five convicts. He explored
six hundred miles of coast line. In this open boat, exposed during
the greater part of the time to very tempestuous weather, Bass
persevered until he had discovered the entrance to the strait which
now bears his name, separating Australia from Tasmania. This
feat has few equals in the annals of maritime enterprise. The zeal
of Flinders1 and Bass was at length rewarded. The Governor of
New South Wales gave them the use of the Norfolk, a sloop of
twenty-five tons, with authority to complete the discovery of Bass's
Strait. They had a good crew of eight naval volunteers, and
twelve weeks' provisions. Sailing from Port Jackson on the 7th of
October, 1798, they thoroughly explored the coasts of Tasmania
and the adjacent islands, where seals and birds abounded. Bass
landed on one islet where he had to fight his way with the seals up
the hill side ; and, when he arrived at the top, he was obliged to
make a path with his club amongst the albatrosses. These birds
were sitting on their nests, and covered the surface of the ground.
Flinders made regular astronomical observations throughout this
very important voyage, and he returned to Port Jackson on the
llth of January, 1799. The main result of the voyage was the
complete examination of the strait between Australia and Tasmania.
At the special request of young Flinders, it received, from Governor
Hunter, the name of Bass's Strait. Flinders made one more
exploring voyage to the northward of Port Jackson, before re-
turning to England on board the Reliance in 1800.
When the charts based on the discoveries of Flinders and Bass
were published, men of science were strongly impressed with the
great importance of completing the work, and making a thorough
examination of all the coasts of Australia. Sir Joseph Banks, the
President of the Eoyal Society, submitted a plan to the Govern-
ment ; and it was decided that such a voyage should be undertaken.
The right man was selected to do the work. Young Flinders was
appointed to the command.
1 Flinders was made a Lieut, in 1798, a Commander on Feb. 16th, 1801, and a
Captain on May 7th, 1810.
568 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1793-1802. [1801-2.
In January, 1801, Flinders took command of the Investigator?
a north country built ship of 334 tons, closely resembling the
vessels employed in Captain Cook's voyages. Crowds of volunteers
eagerly came forward for the service. The instructions were to
examine first the south coast of Australia from King George's
Sound to Bass's Strait, then the north-west coast, then the Gulf of
Carpentaria and the coast to the westward. The instructions were
signed by Lord St. Vincent, Captain Thomas Troubridge, and Captain
John Markham. They were accompanied by extracts from a memoir
by Mr. Alexander Dalrymple 2 on the winds and weather. A passport
was also granted by the French Government, promising protection to
a voyage undertaken solely for the advancement of science. There
were two lieutenants on board, one being Samuel William Flinders,
the Commander's brother. The Master was John Thistle, and there
were eight Midshipmen, including the future Sir John Franklin. The
astronomer was John Crossley, and the botanist was Eobert Brown,
so well known afterwards, in the scientific world, as the " Princeps
Botanicorum." On the 18th of July, 1801, the expedition sailed
from Spithead, and, using Vancouver's chart, the Investigator was
anchored in King George's Sound on the 9th of December.
The voyage was continued along the south coast of Australia
in January, 1802, and a careful survey was made from King
George's Sound to Port Phillip. The new discoveries included the
great gulfs of Spencer and St. Vincent ; and the surrounding coasts,
which were all laid down with remarkable accuracy. It was near
Thistle Island, at the entrance of Spencer Gulf, that Mr. Thistle
the Master, and a young Midshipman named Taylor, were lost
by the capsizing of a cutter. Commander Flinders deplored the
death of the Master, who had served with him in his previous
voyage round Tasmania, and was a most valuable officer. The
numerous Lincolnshire names, including Donington and Spilsby the
birthplaces of Flinders and Franklin, given to points on the coast,
show from what county the Commander hailed. On April 27th, the
Investigator anchored at Port Phillip, which had been discovered and
named ten weeks earlier by Lieutenant James Murray, who had
come from Port Jackson in the Lady Nelson, brig. Flinders, how-
ever, made a complete examination of this great sheet of water.
The Investigator arrived at Port Jackson on the 9th of May,
1802, all on board being in better health and spirits than when they
1 'Ei'a-Xenophon. 2 The Hydrographer.
1802-3.] SUHVEYS OF FLINDERS. 569
left Spithead ; for Flinders promoted the happiness of the men by
strict discipline combined with kindly sympathy and consideration ;
and health was preserved by closely following the system of Captain
Cook — cleanliness, wholesome food, and free circulation of air in the
messing and sleeping place. An observatory was temporarily estab-
lished at Port Jackson, where young Franklin was appointed assistant.
The brig, Lady Nelson, commanded by Lieutenant Murray, was
placed under the orders of Commander Flinders at Port Jackson.
In July, 1802, the examination of the coast to the northward
was commenced, as well as of the Barrier Eeef, of which Flinders
wrote an interesting description. In October, he proceeded onwards
to Torres Strait and the Gulf of Carpentaria ; but the ship was
in a most unseaworthy condition. It was found that most of
the timbers were rotten, and that, even with fine weather, she
would not hold together for more than six months. Nevertheless
Flinders continued the survey for some time longer, as far along
the north coast of Australia as Melville Bay. In June, 1803, he
returned to Port Jackson.
The Investigator was quite unfit for further use. Old, crazy,
and leaky when she was bought, she was a vessel such as, in our
days, would not be deemed fit for the business of a collier. It was
a school of hardship and rough work, yet full of interest for an
ardent young sailor. It was in discovering many a reef and island,
and many a mile of coast line, that John Franklin's mind became
imbued with that sincere love of geographical discovery which
marked his career through life. Flinders was the example, and the
Australian survey was the nursery which reared one of the greatest
of our Arctic navigators, the discoverer of the North-West Passage.
Able, brave, and modest, Flinders was exactly the man to awaken
similar qualities in his officers.
The Investigator was condemned, and a small vessel named
the Porpoise was hired to take the officers and men to England.
On the 10th of August, 1803, she sailed from Port Jackson, home-
ward bound, with two other vessels in company, the Bridgewater
and Cato. In the evening of the 17th, all the ships being still in
company, and going about eight knots under double-reefed topsails,
breakers were seen ahead from the forecastle of the Porpoise. The
helm was immediately put down, but she missed stays, and in
another minute was carried among the breakers. Striking upon a
coral reef, she took a fearful heel over on her beam ends, the foremast
570 VOYAGES AND DISCOVERIES, 1793-1802. [1803-4.
going over the side at the second or third shock. Soon the hold
was full of water, but luckily she went over with the upper deck
away from the surf. The Cato struck on the reef about two cables'
length from the Porpoise, fell over towards the surf, and her masts
went by the board. The Bridgewater escaped, and her dastardly
master — his name was Palmer — made sail, leaving his consorts to
their fate.
During the night Commander Flinders and his first Lieutenant,
Bobert Merrick Fowler, employed the people in making a raft and
securing water and provisions on it. The Cato, having fallen over
to windward, with her deck exposed to the waves, the decks were
torn up and everything was washed away. The only safe place for
the unfortunate crew was in the port fore chains, where they were
all crowded together. In this situation, some clinging to the chain
plates and dead eyes, others holding to one another, they passed the
night. With daylight there appeared a dry sandbank about half a
mile distant, sufficiently large to receive the shipwrecked people and
such provisions as could be saved. The Porpoise's boats were
brought as near to the Cato as possible, the crew jumping from the
fore chains and swimming to them through the surf. All got safe to
the boats except three young lads, who were drowned. All next
day the people worked hard, landing water and provisions on the
sandbank. The ships soon broke up, but two boats were saved.
Commander Flinders took command of the combined ships' com-
panies. He resolved to lay down two decked boats, capable of
conveying all the shipwrecked people to Port Jackson, and also to
send the cutter for assistance. The latter service would be one
of great danger, and Flinders, therefore, resolved to perform it
himself. He started on the 25th of August with a crew of fourteen
men, and, after a perilous voyage of 750 miles in an open boat,
he safely reached Port Jackson on September 8th. The ship
Holla, bound to China, was engaged to call at the reef, and take
the shipwrecked people on board. This was successfully done ; and
young Franklin was one of those who went home by Canton.
Flinders was anxious to return to England direct, with his charts
and notebooks. He was supplied with a smaller schooner of twenty-
nine tons, called the Cumberland. Passing through Torres Strait
the little vessel sprang a leak, and Commander Flinders was obliged
to put into Mauritius. There he was perfidiously made a prisoner of
war by the French governor, contrary to the established usage of
1793-1802.] FLINDERS'S WORK. 571
civilised nations, and to the written promise of the French govern-
ment. The governor, whose name was Decaen, used the quibble
that the passport was for the Investigator, not the Cumberland.1
Surveyors and explorers, whose work is intended to benefit the
whole world, are allowed to pass free in time of war, and this Decaen
disgraced his country and himself by detaining Flinders. He was
kept a prisoner for nearly seven years. It broke his heart. Eeleased
at length in June, 1810, he returned to England in the following
October. He was three years preparing the narrative of his voyage
in two quarto volumes and an atlas, which were published in 1814.
His work finished, the great surveyor died on July 19th of the same
year. Flinders had extraordinary natural gifts as a surveyor. He
was one of the first to investigate the deviation caused by the iron
in ships. He it was who first suggested the name of Australia.
He was a man of remarkable talent, but modest and unassuming,
and though he was a strict disciplinarian, he was beloved by all who
served under him.
With the voyage of Flinders ended the long and glorious labours
of naval discoverers, which had been continuous for forty years.
From 1764 to 1804, Byron, Wallis, Carteret, Cook, Phipps,
Vancouver, Broughton and Flinders had advanced geographical
science, and made discoveries, the results of which are incalculable.
They created and trained a school of marine surveyors, but they
also trained Nelson, Eiou, Vashon, and others, the heroes of
Trafalgar and many other sea fights, and the saviours of their
country. After 1804 there was a pause for some years, though, even
during that time of stress, surveying was not entirely neglected. In
1818, Great Britain was once more aroused to a sense of her
duties, as the leader of exploration and discovery among the
nations of the earth.
1 He also charged Flinders with being an impostor. Nav. Chron. xiv. 332. —
W. L. C.
PUNT : 18TH CENT.
INDEX.
VOLUME IV.
NOTE — British naval officers in the following are described as of the rank to which
they attained upon the completion of their active service.
Abeille, 498, 554
Aberbrothick, 76, 100
Abercromby, General Sir Ralph, 292, 333,
334, 408, 411, 412 n., 425, 454, 455, 456
Aberdeen, 76
Aberf/avenny, 535
Aboukir, Town, Island, and Bay, 356-374,
376, 377, 404, 406, 453 n., 455, 456, 555,
556
Aboukir, 154, 372, 373 n., 556
Abuses, Naval, 158-161
Accra, 79 and n.
Achill Head, 345
Achille, 226, 231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 553
Achilles, 388
Achmet Djezzar, Pasha of Acre, 401, 402,
404
Achmet, Turkish military commander, 394
Acklom, Capt. George, 343
Acre (St. Jean d'), 400-401
Actseon, 109
Actif, 65, 99, 548, 552
Actionnaire, 81, 83, 114
Actions (principal) ; Serapis and lionhom-
me Richard, 33-39 ; Quebec and Surveil-
lante, 40-44 ; capture of Omoa, 44, 45 ;
Nonsuch and Belle Poule, 53, 54 ; Flora
and Nymphe, 55, 56 ; Miner we and Coura- \
geux,60; Nonsuch md Actif, 65 ; Orescent
and Briel, 67, 68 ; Iris and Trumbull,
72, 73 ; Success and Sta. Catalina, 77-
79 ; Foudroyant and Pegase, 80-83 ;
Hector with Aiijle and Gloire, 87;
Leander with an unknown, 92, 93 ;
Howe and Villaret on May 28th, 1794,
218-221; the same on May 29th, 222-
225; the same on June 1st, 225-240;
siege of Bastia, 244, 245 ; siege of Calvi,
245 ; capture of Martinique, 248 ; Corn-
wallis's retreat, 256-260; Bridport off
Groix, 260-266 ; Hotham off Genoa, 268-
273 ; Hotham off Hyeres, 274-277 ; cap-
ture of Cape Colony, 280, 281 ; Nelson
near Genoa, 284, 285 ; Droits de I'Homme
with Indefatigable and Amazon, 302-
304 ; Jervis's victory off Cape St. Vin-
cent, 305-320; Nelson at Santa Cruz,
321-324; Battle of Camperdown, 325-
333; Mars and Hercule, 336, 337;
defence of St. Marcou, 339-341 ; Warren
and Bompart, 345-348; Kangaroo and
Loire, 349-350 ; Fishguard and Immor-
talite, 350, 351 ; Battle of the Nile, 355-
374 ; defence of Acre, 400-404 ; cutting
out of the Prima, 417 ; capture of the
Guillaume Tell, 420-422; Battle of
Copenhagen, 427-440; boat action off
Boulogne, 445, 446 ; loss of the Swiftsure,
453; capture of Alexandria, etc., 455-
458 ; Saumarez off Algeciras, 460-165 ;
Saumarez with Linois and Moreno, 466-
470; Cleopatre and Nymphe, 476, 477;
Boston and Embuscade, 478, 479 ; Cres-
cent and Reunion, 479, 480; the Juno
at Toulon, 482, 483; Carijsfort and
Castor, 485; JKomney and Sibylle, 485,
486 ; Artois and Rwolutionnaire, 487 ;
Blanche and Pique, 488-490 ; Lively and
Tnurterelle, 490, 491 ; Astrsea and Gloire,
491 ; capture of the Minerve, 492, 493 ;
I'nite and Reoohitiomwire, 495, 496 :
Indefatigable and Virc/inie, 496, 497 ;
Spencer and Vblcan, 497, 498 ; Phoenix
and Argo, 498 ; Santa Margarita and
Tamise, 498 ; Unicorn and Tribune, 498,
499; Dryad and Proserpine, 499, 500;
Glatton and French frigates, 501 ; Pelican
and Medee, 503 ; Terpsichore and Maho-
nesa, 504; Terpsichore and Vestale, 50i,
505 ; San Fiorenzo and Nymphe with
Resistance and Constance, 506, 507 ;
Phoebe and Nerei le, 508 ; Seahorse and
574
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Sensible, 510; capture of the Seine, 511 ;
Brilliant with French frigates, 512 ;
E*poir and Liyuria, 513 ; Leander and
Qmereux, 513-516 ; Sirius with Furie
and Waakzaamheid, 516, 517 ; Ambus-
cade and Bayonnaise, 517-519 ; D&dalus
and Prudente, 519, 520; Sibylle and
.Forte, 520-522 ; Clyde and Fesfafc, 523 ;
capture of the Thetis and Sta. Brigida,
525, 526 ; cutting out of the Hermione,
527, 528; capture of the Pallas, 529,
530 ; Petrel and Ligurienne, 530 ; Seine
and Vengeance, 533; Phoebe and ^4/«-
caime, 537, 538 ; Speedy and Gamo, 538,
539 ; cutting out of the Chevrette, 539,
540 ; Sylph and an unknown ; Sibylle
and Chiffonne, 541 ; Victor and Fleche,
541, 542
^icttw, 19, 31, 110(3), 181, 326, 425, 549,
551
Acton, Neapolitan minister, Sir John
Francis Edward, 396
Acul, Haiti, 251
Acute, 341 n.
Adam, Admiral Sir Charles, 405, 541, 558
Adamant, 173, 325, 326, 340, 529, 557
Adams, the mutineer, John, 103 n., 106
Addaya Creek, Minorca, 377
Administrative officers of the Navy, 1793-
1802, 150-152
Admiraal De Buijler, 559
Admiraal Tjerk Hiddes De Fries, 154, 326,
329 and n., 559
Admiral Devries, 559
Admiral Bainier, 560 (2)
Admiralty, The, 186
Admiralty, First Lords and Secretaries of
the, 150
Adriatic Sea, the, 375
Advances to pressed men, 172
Adventure, 129-131
Adventure Bay, Tasmania, 103, 138
Advice, 198 n., 548
Adye, Capt. John Miller, 369
JEdw, 24, 27, 443
Affleck, Admiral Philip, 191
Affleck, Capt, Thomas, 251, 548
Affleck, Capt. William (1), 70
Affleck, Capt. William (2), 213
A/ronteur, 298 n.
Africa, 293, 520, 560
Africa, Coast of, 58, 83, 114, 198 and n.,
251, 405, 510, 524
Africaine, 537, 538, 546, 555, 558
Agamemnon, 174 n., 175, 203 n., 207,
244, 269 n., 270, 272, 274 and n., 276,
277, 284, 285, 430, 433, 434, 435, 442,
480
Agassiz, Com. James John Charles, 558
Agents for Prisoners of War, 185
Aygershuus, 431 n., 561
Agincourt, 175, 326, 388
Agnew, Com. Alexander, 51
Aigle, 86, 87, 89, 112, 115 (2), 203 n., 279,
549, 555
Aigrette, 24, 25
Aiguille, 304
Aimable, 57, 114, 203 n., 501, 529, 553,
554
Airey, Lieut.-Colonel George, 451 n., 452
Aix Road and Island, 343, 388, 389, 509
Ajaccio, 288, 405, 549, 552
Ajax, 49, 58, 326, 388, 389 n., 414, 424 n.,
454 n.
Akaroa, 125
Akuriri Cliff, 126
Alarm, 280, 333 and n., 409, 492, 553 (2),
559, 560 (3), 561
Alassio Bay, 277, 554
Albacore, 554
Albanaise, 180, 531, 551
Albany, 29
Albatross, 405
Albatrosses, 567
Albemarle, 95
Albert, 210
Albion, 155, 549
Alceste, 268, 276, 375, 386, 400, 494, 552,
556
Alcide, 203 n., 204 n., 212 and n., 243, 276,
277, 553
Alcmene, and Alcmene, 31, 58, 114, 373
and n., 376, 430, 432, 439, 525, 526, 556,
560
Alcudia, 481, 561
Alderney, 548, 555
Alemtejo, 458, 471
Alert, 8 and n., 9, 10, 15 and n., 16, 57,
109, 113, 114, 548, 553
Alerts, 114, 357, 359, 360, 386 and n., 400,
486, 487, 548, 554 (2), 556
Alessandria, 418
Alexander I., Tsar, 442
Alexander, Admiral Thomas (1), 554
Alexander, U.S.N., Capt. Charles, 113
Alexander, Lieut. John, 295 n.
Alexander, 50, 237 n., 241, 242, 262, 351,
352, 355, 356, 357, 359 n., 360, 361, 363,
364, 366, 367, 368, 369, 370 n., 372, 373,
374, 390, 418, 419, 420, 450, 452, 548,
565 n.
Alexandrs, 91, 255 n., 262, 263, 264, 553
Alexandria, 355, 356 and n., 357, 360,
368 n., 372, 373, 375, 376, 377, 383, 390,
400, 401, 402, 404, 423, 452, 455-458,
513, 551, 556, 558 (7)
Alexandria, 458
Alford, agent for Lord St. Vincent, Mr., 166
Alfred, 4, 7, 8, 10, 113, 226, 235, 334, 500
501, 554 (2), 555
Algeciras, 307, 308 n., 310, 459 and n.,
460-465, 466 and n., 528, 561
Algerine pirates, 427, 506
Algier, 54, 55, 101, 324, 410
Algoa Bay, 524, 525
Alicante, 26
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
575
Alkmaar, 326, 329 n., 559
Alkmaar canal, 411
Allary, Captain Joseph, 226, 447 n.
Allegiance, 71 and n., 72, 112
Alleyre, 298 n., 304 n., 555
Allemand, Admiral Zacharie Jacques Theo-
dore, 251, 291, 480 and n., 481
Allen, Admiral John Carter, 191
Allen, Admiral William (2), 192
Alliance : with Holland, 199 ; with Spain,
Portugal, Sardinia and the two Sicilies,
200 ; between France and Spain, 285, 286
Alliance, 33-36, 38, 39, 66, 111, 387 n.,
401, 402, 493, 558
Alliantie, 558
Alligator, 79, 83, 112, 213, 454 n. ,552
Allons, Provence, 277 n.
Allotment of pay, 154
Almendral, Valparaiso, The, 148
Almirante Barroso, 254 n.
Almirante Tower, Algeciras, 461, 462, 463
Alms, V.-Ad. James (2), 197 n., 414, 493,
550
Alps, The, 418
Alsace, Regiment of, 518
Amager Island, 430, 432 u., 439, 440, 441
Amaranths, 409, 550, 555, 559
Amat, Don Manuel, 121
Amazon, 58, 138, 299, 300, 302, 303, 430,
431, 432, 436, 439, 496, 497, 499 and n.,
549, 555
Amazone, 31, 83, 84, 110, 115
Amhoyna, 184, 294 and n., 472
Amboyna, 294 n., 558
Ambrosian Library, Milan, 352
Ambuscade, 27, 61, 114, 517-519, 543 and
n., 544, 550, 556 (2)
Amelia, 345, 346, 347, 348, 414, 424, 500,
522, 538, 554
America, 14, 200 n., 202 n., 226, 230,
280 n., 281, 295 n., 408 n., 409
America, Coast of, 31, 51, 76, 83, 86, 92,
93, 109, 115, 137, 145, 147, 148, 149,
338, 553, 554
American assistance to British operations,
307, 308, 416
American flag, The, 10, 11, 538
American losses, 1777-82, 113
American Marine Committee, 10, 39
American War, the, 1-95, 97, 98, 100, 113,
143
Americans in the Royal Navy, 156
Amerique, 553
Amethyst, 204 n., 411, 414, 424, 536, 548,
552, 557, 558
Amfitrite, 528
Amiens, Treaty of, 452
Amphion, 76, 83 n., 94, 503, 549
Amphitriie, 31, 66, 91 and n., 94, 110, 112,
115, 203 n., 410, 412, 548, 559
Amsterdam, Curacoa, 425
Amsterdam, Holland, 408
Anamoca, 133
Anatolia, Coast of, 355, 356 n.
Ancaster, Duke of, 18
Ancona, 375, 390, 539, 551
Anderson, Lieut. Charles, 112
Anderson, the naturalist, Dr., 138, 139
Anderson, Lieut. W , 111
Andrea Doria, 4, 109, 113
Andre"ossi, General, 339
Andrews, Capt. George (1), 245
Andromache, 386 n., 506 and n., 538
Andromaque, 81, 502, 554
Andromeda, 58, 111, 531, 558
Anemone, 376, 556
Anguilla, 504
Annesley, Lieut, the Hon. Francis Charles
(1), 212
Anse la Raye, St. Lucia, 293
Anse a Canot, Guadeloupe, 250
Anson, Admiral of the Fleet George, Lord,
117, 118, 119, 121, 126
Anson, 266 n., 345, 346, 348, 350, 495,
499 n., 507, 508, 509, 555, 556, 561
Antarctic Circle and Sea, the, 130, 131
Antelope, 143, 482
Antibes, 385
Antigua, 58, 119, 250, 553
Antigua, 111
Antiscorbutics, 128, 130, 134
Antwerp, 339
Apam, 79 and n.
Ape's Hill, 289, 549
Aplin, Admiral Peter, 75, 111, 195
Apodaca, R.-Ad. Don S. R. de, 333 n.
Apollo, 22, 23, 40, 52, 79, 114, 500, 550,
554, 561 (2)
Apollon, 204 n., 205, 206
Appleby, Lieut. R — '• - T , 112
Appledore, 76
Apthorp, Com. Charles, 341 n., 454 n., 455
Aquilon, 154, 197 n., 201 n., 203 n., 226,
230, 260 n., 357, 362, 364, 365, 372,
556
Aral, 471, 549, 553
Arabs, 376
Arbuthnot, Admiral Marriot, 25, 47, 48,
113, 191
Arc, 558
Arcachon, 554
Archipelago, The Greek, 279
Architecture, Naval, 153 et seq.
Arctic Seas, The, 58 n., 135, 136
Arden, Capt. Samuel, 66 and n.
Arden, Charles George, Lord, 169
Ardent, 29, 30, 31, 87, 100, 110, 114, 174 n.,
175, 176, 203 n., 212 and n., 243, 326,
329, 331, 408 n., 410, 430, 433, 439, 548
Ardrigole Kiver, 301
Arethusa, 14 and n., 15, 24, 99, 110, 252,
266 n., 333 and n., 483, 484, 486, 487,
507, 555
Are'thuse, 204 n., 525, 549, 552, 556
Argles, Capt. George, 337, 534, 557
Argo, 94 and n., 97, 112, 115, 154, 278,
576
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
377 n., 378 n., 493, 498, 519, 558,
560 (3)
Argonaut, 490, 553
Argonauta, 424 n., 466 n.
Argus, 49, 260 n.
Ariadne, 10, 51, 113, 274 and n., 277,
341 n., 342
Ari'ine, 555
Ariel, 31, 110
Aristocrat, 495, 554, 557
Arkenhout, Lieut., 326
Armament, Changes in, 155
Armed neutrality, The, 426, 427
Armistice : with Denmark, 440 : at Alex-
andria, 458
Arms, Augmentation of, 83
" Arms of Honour," 422
Army's share in naval prize-money, 165
Arona, 418
Arrack, 105
Arrest no bar to prize-sharing, 162, 163
Arrogant, 237 n., 280, 502, 503, 558, 559
Arrogante, 304, 333 n., 510, 555, 560
Arrow, 154, 426 n., 427, 430, 432, 524, 559
Arte'mise, 278, 357, 367, 492, 540, 556
Artesien, 77
Articles of War, The, 50, 172, 184
Artois, 52 and n., 114, 266 n., 486, 487,
495, 507, 549
Artois, Comte d', 267 u.
Asia, 247 n., 248, 528
Asia, coast of, 563
Asia Minor, 454
Asp, 341 n., 342
Aspic, 495
Assembles Nationale, 494, 554
Assistance, 198 n., 551
Assurance, 66, 247 n.
Astle, R.-Ad. George, 559
Astriea, 91, 113, 260 n., 292 n., 293, 454 n.,
491, 553
Astree, 71, 72, 84, 280
Atalanta, 65, 66, 98, 111, 198 n.
AtaJante, 298 n., 299, 304 n., 326, 328 n.,
482, 484, 485, 550, 553, 555, 558
Athenian, 374 and n., 423, 450, 557
Athenienne, 554
Atkins, Capt. Christopher, 109
Atkinson, Lieut. J , 112
Atlante, 309 n.
Atlantic Ocean, the, 65, 70, 103, 132, 115,
132, 200, 386, 513, 534, 537, 560, 561
Atlas, 388
Atooi, 139, 145
Attack, 154
Auckland, New Zealand, 126
Audacieux, 216, 218, 221
Audacious, 202, 220, 221, 237, 239, 274
and n., 277, 321, 357, 361, 362, 364, 369
and n., 390, 416, 418, 419, 460, 461, 462,
464 and n., 465, 466 u., 468, 469, 485 n.
Audierne Bay, 303, 486, 507, 553
Augusta, 109
Auguste, 552, 553
Augustus, 551
Aurora, 377 n., 416 n., 553, 555, 560 (2)
Aurore, 204 n., 206, 552, 554, 557
Austen, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Francis
William (1), 530, 557
Australia, 104, 106, 127, 128, 133, 145, 564,
566, 568, 571
Austria, 200, 277, 324, 380, 386, 389, 390,
391, 415, 416
Austrian Netherlands, 324
Auvergne, Prince de Bouillon, V.-Ad. Philip
d', 111
Auvergne, Capt. Corbet James d', 557
Aux Cayes, 251, 378
Avenger, 247 n., 248, 552
Auenturier, 513
Aventuriere, 556
Avenza, 548
Ayaldi, Capt. Don T., 504
Aylmer, Admiral John (1), 295 n., 449
Ayscough, Admiral John, 415, 454 n., 550
Azores Islands, 33, 88, 115, 560
BAB-EL-MAXDEB, Strait of, 525
Babet, 154, 260 n., 291 n., 412, 483, 484,
551, 552, 555
Bacalar, 379
Back Bay, Ceylon, 282
Bacon (mil.) Capt., 264
Badajos, Treaty of, 458, 471
Badger, 89, 165 n., 340, 555 (2)
Badham, Mr. F. P., referred to, 391 n.
Badine, 278, 279, 418, 419
Baffin's Bay, 137
Bagley, the astronomer, Mr., 129, 138
Bahama, 307, 309 n.
Bahamas Islands, 83
Baillie, Kussian military commander, 394
Bainbridge, Lieut. William, 416
Baird, Capt.'s Clerk , 369
Baird, Major-General, 457 n.
Baker, Com. Henry (2), 439
Baker, Capt, Henry Edward Reginald, 309
n., 454 n.
Baker, Capt. Joseph, 149 n., 528
Baker, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas (1), 426 and n.
Bale, 296
Balfour, Capt. George, 111
Balfour, Com. William, 317
Ball, H.-Ad. Sir Alexander John, 152, 351,
357, 369, 374, 383, 386, 390, 395, 396,
418 n., 423, 450, 553
Ball, R.-Ad. Henry Lidgbird, 405, 519, 520,
556, 565 n.
Ballantyne, master in H. E. I. Co.'s service,
George, 483
Ballard, R.-Ad. Samuel James, 451, 510,
557
Ballard, R.-Ad. Volant Vashon, 149 n.
Ballinamuck, 344
Ballon, 201 n.
Baltic Sea, the, 35, 428, 440, 443 n.
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
577
Hampton, Lieut. William, 158
Banca, W. Africa, 251
Banca, strait of, 184, 512, 549
Band a Islands, 294, 472
Banff, 13, 100
Banks, Sir Joseph, 124, 125, 128, 567
Banks's Peninsula, 126
Bannister, Seaman George, 516
Bantry Bay, 177, 181, 300 and n., 301,
304 n., 555
Baptismal certificates forged, 160
Barbados, 10, 63, 90, 213, 214, 246, 247,
536, 554, 555, 557, 558 (2)
liarbadus. 58, 111, 289, 292
Barbary Coast, 453, 473, 538
Barbier, Lieut. Hermanns, 295 n.
Barbuda, 77, 111
Barca, 452
Barcelona, 384, 533, 561
Barere de Vieuzac, 236 n.
Barfleur, 223, 226, 227, 231, 260 n., 263,
284, 309 n., 314, 321, 382, 384 n., 385 n.
Barrleur, Cape, 554
Barham, Admiral Sir Charles Middleton,
Lord, 191
Barham Downs, 18H, 408
Barker, Admiral George, 385
Barker, Capt. James, 309 n., 369 n.
Barker, Capt. Scory, 335, 549
Barking She f, 550
Barkley, Capt. Andrew, 48, 61
Barlow, Admiral Sir Robert, 226, 260 n.,
300, 508, 537, 555 (2), 558
Barnsta|ile Bay, 550
Barr, H. E. I. C. S., Colonel, 471
Barracoe, 79 and n.
Barras, i|uoted, 19
Barras, 204 n., 277, 286
Barras, Commod. de, 17 and n., 75, 76
Barrett, Capt. John, 280 and n.
Barrie, Il.-Ad. Sir Robert, 149 n.
Barrier Reef, Great, 127, 128, 569
Barrington, Mr. Dames, 135
Barrington, Admiral the Hon. Samuel, 22,
80, 107, 160, 181, 182, 191, 198
Barrow, Lieut.-Colonel Thomas, 379
Barrow Hill, 186
Barry, U. S. N., Capt. John, 21, 66
Bartliolmew, Com. Philip, 551
Barton, Adii.iral Matthew, 191
Barton, V.-Ad. Robert, 448, 449, 504, 554
Has, lie, 86, 513, 549, 552, 556
Basham, (Mar.), Lieut. William, 324
Basque Road, 388
Bass, Surgeon George, R.X., 566, 567
Basse Buzee, 253
Basse Terre, Guadeloupe, 249, 250, 502
Bass's Strait, 567, 56-!
Basset, Lieut. William, 446 n.
Bastia, 212, 243, 244, 245, 287, 288, 548,
553
Bataaf, 558
Bateman, Com. Samuel, 430
VOL. IV.
Batavia, 104, 119, 122, 128, 129
Batavian Republic (see also Holland)
Batavitr, 326/410, 559
Bath, Order of the, 83, 320, 378, 412, 443,
458, 4, -0
Baticalo, 282
Battles : see Actions
Batteries erected along the Thames, 175
" Baymen," 44, 45
Bayonnaise, 517-519, 550
Bayntun, Admiral Sir Henry William, 247
n., 549
Bay of Islands, 126
Bay of Bulls, 291
Bay of Castles, 291
Bazely, Admiral John (1), 8, 76, 113, 193.
226, 274 n.
Bazely, Capt. Henry, 341 n., 529
Bazely, Capt. John (2), 260 n., 408 u.
' Beacon Hill, in Kent, 186 ; in Hants, 186
Bazire, Capt., 226
i Beachy Head, 111, 445, 550
Beatson, quoted, 68, 95
Beauclerk, Admiral Lord Amelius, 203 n.,
212 n., 278, 498, 499, 554
Beaufort, S. Carolina, 110
Beaufort, Capt. Sir Francis (1), 534, 561
lieaulieu, Georgia, 32
Beaulieu, 176, 247 n., 325, 326, 502, 539,
540, 553, 554, 558
Beaulieu, Capt., 520, 521
Beaumont, Capt Vicomte de, 20
Beaver, Capt. Philip, 416, 417, 454 n., 557
Beaver, 7
Beaver s Prize, 110
Bee du Raz, 336, 555
Becher, Capt. Alexander, 550
Bedford, 50, 176, 203 n., 213, 269 n., 270,
271, 272, 274 n., 278, 326, 329, 331,
552
Bedford, V. Ad. William, 260 n.
Bedout, Capt. J., 298 n.
Beens, Capt., 491
Beetham, a seaman, 181
Beirut, 404
Belfast, 76, 109
Belhomme, Lieut. P. J. P., 483
llehtte, 204 n., 549, 552
lielizal, Lieut, de, 14
Belize, 378
Bell, Midshipman James, 439
lielle Antoinette, 409, 559
Belle Isle, 200, 201, 256, 260, 261, 264,
266, 415, 522. 551, 553
Belleisle, 154, 264, 553
Belle Poule, 13, 14, 15, 16, 53, 54, 99, 114
Bellerophon, 200, 202, 218, 219, 220, 222,
223, 226, 228, 229, 255 n., 257, 357, 361,
362, 363, 365, 368, 369 and n., 384, 385,
391, 566
Bellew, Capt. Henry, 109
Belliard, General, 457
Bellingham, Sir William, 151
2 P
578
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Belliqueux, 174 n., 251, 326, 331, 408 n., (
410, 532, 557
Jiellona, 59, 110, 237 n., 280, 295 n., 333 n.,
384, 385, 430, 432 n., 433, 434, 435, 438,
439, 440, 441, 553, 559
Beltane, 30, 77, 83 n., 85, 221, 298 n., 344,
346, 347, 348, 534, 556
Bencoolen, 144, 483
Bengal, Bay of, 77, 112, 520, 533, 556
Bengasi, 452, 454
Bennett, Capt. Richard Henry Alexander,
548
Bentham, General, 155
Beutinck, V.-Ad. William, 226
Berbice, 291, 472
Berbice, 549
Berehaven, 388
Bere Island, 301, 302
Beresford, Admiral Sir John Poo, 412, 492,
502
Bergeau, Capt. J. P., 344
Mergers, 529
Bergeret, Capt., 497
Bergeret, Capt. J., 447 n.
Borgevin, Capt. M. C., 344
Bering's Strait, 139, 142
Berkeley, Admiral the Hon. Sir George
Crantield, 182, 195, 226, 380, 388
Berkeley, Capt. Velteis Cornwall, 247 n.,
319 and n., 507
Berkeley Sound, 119
Bermuda, 109, 112, 497, 507, 548, 554
Bermuda, 549
Bernadou, Haiti, 251
Bemstorff, Count, 427
Berrade, Capt., 226
Berry, R.-Ad. Sir Edward, 309 n., 315, 351,
357, 360 n., 361, 372, 373, 418, 420, 515,
516
Berry, Midshipman , 446 n.
Bertheaume Head and Bay, 237, 239, 253,
380, 447
Bertie, Admiral Sir Albemarle, 226, 260,
266 n., 389 n.
Bertie, (formerly Hoar), V.-Ad. Sir Thomas
(2), 408 n., 430
Berville, Guadeloupe, 250
Berwick, 57, 58, 203 n., 267, 268, 269, 270,
277, 286, 548
Beschermer, 326, 410, 559
Besemer, Lieut. Pieter, 295 n.
Betsy, 499 and n.
Bett, Capt. William, 74, 111
Bettishanger, 186
Beuzeval, 343
Bevians, Com. William, 309 n.
Biche, 344, 347, 351
Bickerton, V.-Ad. Sir Richard, 107
Bickerton, Admiral Sir Richard Hussey,
195, 237 n., 351, 454 n.
Biddle, U. S. N., Capt. Nicholas, 10, 113
Bienfaisant, 56
Bienvenue, 247, 248, 552
Biggs, V.-Ad. Robert, 16, 109, 193
Bigot, Lieut. J. G., 511
Bingham, R.-Ad. Joseph, 554
Birchall, Capt. William, 341 n., 430
Birthday, The Sovereign's, 174
Biscay, Bay of, 65, 114, 115, 201, 216, 241,
304 n., 336, 381, 447, 475, 480, 488, 494,
495, 508, 513, 525, 546, 547, 552, 555,
556, 557
Bissett. R.-Ad. James, 198 n.
Biter, 341 n., 342, 531 n.
Bizarre, 114
Black Joke, 325, 381, 556
Black Sea, 354
Blackdown, 186
Blacksod Bay, 349
Blackwood, V.-Ad. the Hon. Sir Henry, 260
n., 420, 421, 512, 561
Blake, Com. John, 550
Blanche, 27, 47, 58, 111, 114, 197 n., 247
n., 280, 284, 412, 428, 430, 432, 442, 488
-490, 505, 506, 550, 552 (2), 553
Bland, Capt. Loftus Otway, 373 n., 513 and
n., 556 (2), 558
Blankett, R.-Ad. John, 194, 280 n., 295 n.,
405, 406, 457
Blanquet Du Chayla : see Du Chayla
Blavet, Capt., 226
Blazer, 341 n., 428, 551
Blenheim, 103 n., 178, 274 and n., 276, 307,
309 n., 310, 313, 314, 316, 317
Bligh, Com. John (1), 68, 69 n., Ill
Bligh, R.-Ad. John (2), 309 n.
Bligh, Admiral Sir Richard Rodney, 166,
193, 237 n., 241, 242, 548
Bligh, V.-Ad. William, 102-106, 138 and
n., 140, 141, 144, 326, 430, 562, 566
Blockade (see also Brest, Cadiz, Toulon,
etc.) : of the Thames by the mutineers,
174 ; of the Dutch coast, 279, 283 et seq. ;
of Genoa, 284 ; of Cadiz, 320 et seq. ; of
Malta, 374 and n. et seq. ; of Naples, 390 ;
of Genoa, 416, 417 ; of the French Riviera,
419 ; of Alexandria, 455
1 Blockade, Difficulties of, 293, 294, 377
Blonde, 28, 48, 61, 112, 247 n., 277, 454 n.,
499 n., 552, 554
Bloom, 549
Blunt, Colonel, 471
Blythe, Midshipman James, 337
Boades, Captain de, 65
Bog Island, Virginia, 549
Boadicea, 345, 389 n., 557, 561
Boatswains, 156, 188, 416 n.
Boca Grande, 333
Bolabola, 131, 139
Bodega y Quadra, Don Juan Francisco de
La, 146, 147
Bock, Com. D., 410
Boger, Capt. Coryndon, 557
Bolton, 109
Bolton, Admiral Lord Harry Powlett, Duke
of, 191
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
579
Bolton, Capt. William (1), 426 n., 430, 524,
559
Bonbarde, 557
Bolador, 560.
Bombardment : of Savannah, 32 ; of Pondi-
cherry, 214 ; of Sierra Leone, 251 ; of
Cadiz, 320, 321 ; of Genoa, 417
Bombay, 85, 144, 373, 406
Bombay Castle, 274 and n., 290, 532, 549,
557
Bombs, 18, 135, 153, 155, 244, 293, 320,
321, 333 n., 341 n., 342, 357, 359, 361 n.,
375, 388, 389 n., 390, 400, 401, 429, 430.
433, 434, 445
Bompart, Commod. Jean Baptiste Francois,
344-351, 478
Bon, General, 353
Bona, 496
Bonamy, Capt. J. B., 541
Bonaparte, Jerome, 453 n.
Bonaparte, Louis : see Louis, King of Hol-
land
Bonaparte, Napoleon, 207, 287, 288, 289,
331, 338 and n., 339 n., 352, 353, 356 n.,
371, 373, 376, 400, 402, 404, 405, 413,
418, 426, 444, 446, 450, 454, 455, 470,
472, 538, 544
Bonasa, Capt. Don E., 333 n.
Bond, Capt. Francis Godolphin, 557
JBonetta, 61, 76, 89, 111, 551, 561
Bonhomme Richard, 33-39, 97, 110, 113,
518
Bonifacio, 288
Bonne Citoyenne, 154, 307, 308 n., 309 n.,
319, 351, 352, 354, 373 and n., 454 n.,
457, 494, 554
Booms, 210
Boordcr, Com. James, 412, 522
Borda, Capt. Chev. de, 90
Bordeaux, 206, 255, 509
Bordelaise, 154, 525, 536, 557
Bordentown, 13
Boreas, 31, 114
Bornholm Island, 441, 442
Bori'owdale, 565 n.
Boscawen, Admiral the Hon. Edward, 31,
181, 266
Boston, Lincolnshire, 565
Boston, Massachusetts, 3, 5, 6, 20, 66, 71,
74
Boston, 5, 6, 7, 48 n., 71 n., 109, 113, 478,
479
Botany Bay, 127, 564, 566
Boteler, Capt. Philip, 29, 30, 31, 110
Botham, Com. J , 109
Boubee, Capt. de, 69
Bouchetiere, Capt de La, 74
Boudeuse, 22, 110, 557
Bouillon, Prince de : see Auvergne, Prince
de Bouillon, V.-Ad. Philip d'
Boulainvilliers, Capt. de, 17
Boulogne, 338, 444 and n., 445, 519
Boulogne, 46 n.
Bounties, 155, 156
Bounty, 102—106 and notes
Bourchier, Capt. John, 8, 87, 112
Bourde, Capt. G. F. J., 324, 510
Bourdiohon, Capt, 529
Bourgneuf Bay, 557
Bourgogne, 25
Bourmaster, Admiral John, 3, 193
Bourne, Com. Kichard (1), 341 and n.
Bouvet, Com., 130
Bouvet, Admiral Francois Joseph, Baron,
15, 215 n., 226, 298 n., 300 and n., 301
Bowen, Capt. James (1), 231, 239, 240,
377 n., 519, 560 (2)
Bowen, Lieut. John, 158
Bowen, Capt. Richard, 81 and n., 247 and
n., 248, 250, 319, 320, 321, 322, 323, 504,
505, 545, 555, 560
Bowen, Capt. Thomas, 373 n.
Bowen, Admiral George (1), 195
Bowen, Capt. George (3), 454 n.
Bowman, Gunner William, 159
Bowyer, Admiral Sir George, 192, 226, 228,
239
Boxer, Capt. James, 402
Boxer, 341 n., 531 n.
Boyart Shoal, the, 389
Boyle, V.-Ad. Hon. Sir Courtenay, 550
Boyle, The Hon. Robert : see Walsingham,
Capt. the Hon. Robert Boyle
Boyles, V.-Ad. Charles, 484, 553
Boys, V.-Ad. Thomas (1), 274 n.
Boyne, 246, 247 and n., 250, 491, 548
Braak, or De Braak, 154, 409, 549, 558,
559
Braam, Capt. M. van, 410
Braave, 559, 560
Brace, V.-Ad. Sir Edward, 349, 556
Bradby, Capt. James (2), 341 n., 342
Bradford (mil.), Lieut. George, 251
Bradley, R.-Ad. William (1), 226
Bragge, Right Hon. Charles, 150
Brak, 558, 559
Brathwaite, Admiral Richard, 191
Brakel, 558
Brave, 255 u., 295 n., 296, 550, 559
Bravoure, 298 n., 447 n., 448, 450, 451 and
n., 558
Bray, Com. Josias, 456
Brazen, 147 u., 550
Brazil, 305
Bread-fruit plants, 102, 562, 566
Breedon (Mar.), Capt. Joseph, 416
Brehat Islands, 538
Breignon, Capt. Chevalier de
Brenton, R.-Ad. Jahleel (1), 110, 195
Brenton, V.-Ad. Sir Jahleel (2), 460, 465
and n, 466 n., 528
Brest, 11, 13, 14, 16, 20, 23 n., 25, 40, 43,
65, 80, 82, 83 n., 84, 180, 200, 201, 202,
206, 215, 216, 218, 241, 242, 252-254,
255, 256, 260, 267, 273, 277, 280, 282,
283, 289, 294, 297, 300, 301, 302, 304
2 P 2
580
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
and n., 305, 327, 336 and n., 337, 338,
339, 343, 345, 351, 380, 381, 387, 389,
414, 444 n., 447, 465, 475, 491, 495, 497,
499, 500, 506, 510, 547, 548, 550, 553,
555, 556, 557, 558
Bretel, Capt. J. F. I., 451
Bretonniere, Capt. La, 24
Brett, Admiral Sir Piercy (1), 126, 136,
181
Briarly, Master Alexander, 433, 441 and n.
Bricole, 113
Bridges, Capt. Richard, 418, 454 n.
Bridgetown, Barbados, 213, 247
Sridgewater, 569, 570
Bridgman, Midshipman Thomas, 416 n.
Bridport, Admiral Sir Alexander Arthur
Hood, Lord, 95 n., 107, 168, 169, 171,
181, 191, 198, 226, 239, 240, 259, 260
266, 267, 283, 300 n., 302, 304. 305, 335,
336, 345, 379, 380, 381, 388, 414, 553
Briel, 67-69
Briggs, Admiral Sir Thomas, 449
Briggs, Capt. Joseph, 518 n.
Brighton, 550
Brighton, 549
Brilliant, 174 and n., 424, 512
Brindisi, 452
Brine, Admiral James, 194, 251
Brisac, Capt. George, 111, 475
Brisbane, R.-Ad. Sir Charles, 245, 269 n.,
274 n., 295 n., 494, 539, 556
Brisbane, Capt. Sir James, 430
Brisbane, Admiral John, 6, 109, 113, 191
Brisbane, Com. John Douglas, 77, 112
Bristol, 10, 506
Bristol, V.-Ad. the Hon. Augustus John
Hervey, Earl of, 182 and n.
Bristol, 24, 57, 58
Bristow, Midshipman William, 446 n.
Britannia, 112, 203 n., 246, 269 n., 272,
274 n., 309 n., 316, 483 n.
Britanny, 22, 494, 495
British losses, 1775-83, 109-112
British officers in foreign services, 378 and
n.
Briton, 106
" Britons, strike home," 466
Broadside weight of metal thrown by British
and French ships of the line in 1793,
200 ; in Hotham's action off Genoa, 272 ;
at the Nile, 370
Brock, Colonel Isaac, 428
Brodie, Com. Joseph, 326
Broederscltap, 409, 559
Bromedge, Capt. Hugh, 109
Bronte, The Duchy of, 400
Broughtou, Capt. William Robert, 145 and
n., 146, 147, 549, 562-564, 571
Broughton Archipelago, 146
Browell, Capt. William, 260 n., 389 n.
Brown, Lieut. Alexander, 158
Brown, U. S. N., Capt. , 113
Brown (Russian Navy), Capt., 279 n.
Brown, Admiral John, 32, 110, 193, 247 n.
Brown, Midshipman Andrew, 369
Brown, Master of the Ambuscade, Mr., 518
n.
Brown, Com. William (2), 341 n.
Brown, the botanist, Robert, 568
Brown, Major, 282
Brown, Capt. William (1), 198 n., 217, 226,
391
Browne, Capt. Edward, 203 n., 247 n.
Browne, Com. Joseph, 61, 111
Bruce, Major- General, 214
Brueys, V.-Ad. F. P., 324, 353, 356-370
and n., 371
Bruges Canal, 341, 342
Bruillac, Capt. A. A. M., 509
Bruix, V.-Ad. Eustache de, 256, 380 and n.,
381-388, 389, 390
Brule Gueule, 557
Brune, 114, 375, 390, 494, 556
Brune, General, 411, 412
Brunswick, 226, 232, 233, 234, 235, 255 n.,
257
Brutality in the Navy, 102, 103, 104, 105,
145, 159
Brutus, 326, 328 n., 485, 494, 501 and n.,-
554
Bryer, Com. Wyndham, 247 n.
Bryer, Lieut. W , 550
Bryne, Capt. Henry, 111
Buchanan, Capt. John (1), 519
Buchanan, Capt. William, 454 n.
Buckley, Master , 557
Buckner, Admiral Charles, 172, 173, 176,
192
Buffalo, 47 n.
Buget, General, 416
llulldog, 197 n., 203 n., 247 n., 293, 390,
391, 400, 401, 402, 539, 542, 551, 558,.
560
Bullen, Admiral Joseph, 245
Bullen, Admiral Sir Charles, 330 n.
Buller, V.-Ad. Sir Edward, 295 n.
Bulteel, V.-Ad. Rowley, 408 n., 532, 557
Bunker's Hill, Buttle of, 3
Burdett, Capt. George, 309 n.
Burdon, Com. George, 11, 12, 109
Burdwood, Lieut. Daniel, 335
Burges, Capt. Richard Bundle, 240, 278,.
326, 331
Burgess, Lieut. D , 341 n.
Burlton, R.-Ad. Sir George, 390, 449, 490,.
553 (2)
Burke, Com. Henry, 557
Burke, Lieut. Walter, 540 n.
Burn, Com. John (1), 454 n., 455
Burnaby, V.-Ad. Sir William, 14
Burney, Capt. James (1), 122, 130 and n.,.
138 and n.
Burnham Thorpe, 373
Buoys, 175, 409, 429
Burr, Capt. John, 4
Bursledon, 154
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
581
Uurrowes, Capt. Alexander Saunderson, 558
Burrows, Lieut. John, 289
Bury (formerly Incledon), V.-Ad. Richard
Incledon, 247 n., 249
Bushby, Capt. John, 402
Butchart, Capt. John, 94, 112, 115
Butt, Cora. Henry Samuel, 531 n., 550
Butterfield, R.-Ad. William, 337, 513, 556
Byard, Capt. Sir Thomas, 203 n., 326, 346
Uylandt, R.-Ad. van, 47
Byng (later Viscount Toi rington), V.-Ad.
George (2), 555
Byron, Capt. George Anson (1), 114
Byron, V.-Ad. the" Hon. John, 1, 118, 119,
129, 138, 571
Byron, the poet, Lord, 119
•CABAHETA POINT, 459, 461, 462, 466, 467
Cabbage Hill, 186
Cabot, 4 and n., 25, 113
Cachopo shoal, 305
Cadir Bey, Admiral, 375
€adiz, 68, 278, 283, 286, 290, 305, 306,
311, 320, 351, 354, 356 n., 373, 377, 381,
382 and n., 383, 381, 387, 415, 425, 447,
448 n., 449, 454, 458, 459, 460, 465, 466,
468, 469, 504, 505, 507, 531, 560, 561
Cadman, Capt. George, 116
Cadogan, Capt. the Hon. Thomas, 53, 112
Caen Road, 340
Csesar, 167 n., 222, 224 and n., 226, 228,
229, 240, 351, 387 n., 460, 461, 462, 463,
464 and n., 465, 466 and n., 467, 468,
469
Osesarea, 404
Cagliari, 353, 389, 552
Ca Ira, 204 n. 270, 271, 272 and n., 549,
553 (2)
Caird, Master David, 228
Cairo, 400, 404, 456, 457, 458
Calais, 47, 112
Calcutta, 377 n., 529
Calcutta, 551 n.
Calder, Admiral Sir Robert, 194, 237 n.,
309 n., 320, 449
Caldwell, Lieut. John, 417
Caldwell, Admiral Benjamin, 166, 192, 226,
250, 291
Calicut, 58
California, 347, 148, 149
Calliope, 507, 555
Calmady (formerly Everitt), Admiral
Charles Holmes Everitt, 24, 110, 112, 11.4,
193
Calpe, 459, 464 and n., 466 n., 468, 534
Callum Hill, 186
Calvi, 212, 245, 246, 553
Calypso, 176, 528, 557
Camaret Bay, 253, 539
Cambaceres, Jean Jacques Regis de, 413
Cambrian, 557
Cambon, Capt., 357
•Came, Lieut. Charles, 548
Camel, 7, 8, 47 n., 203 n., 290, 524
Cameleon, 58, 73, 74, 111, 116, 416, 454 n.,
455
Camelford, Com. Thomas Pitt, Lord, 145
and n.
Camilla, 28, 48
Campbell, Admiral Sir George, 181, 195,
203 n., 269 n., 274 n., 381, 552
Campbell, Mr. John, Nelson's secretary, 369
Campbell, V.-Ad. Sir Patrick (1), 53l", 557
Campbell, Capt. Robert (1), 178 and n., 179,
209 n.
Campeche, 379
Camperdowu, Battle of, 176, 183, 325-333,
378, 559
Camperdown, 330, 559
Camphaan, 413, 559
Campo Formio, Treaty of, 324 and n., 352
Canada, 64 and n., 72, 86, 88, 115, 241, 242,
346, 347 and n., 348, 349, 387 n., 414,
509
Canary Islands, 508
Cancale Bay, 25, 114, 201, 225, 233
Candia, 355, 356, 514
Canes, Com. Edward Jekyll, 404 n., 551
Cailete, Mendo/,a, Marquis de, 132
Canon, Capt. A., 491, 508
Canopus, Battle of, 456
Canopii.fi, 154, 372, 373 n., 555
; Cdntabro, 561
Canton, 563, 570
Cape Bon, 405
Cape Bona, 548
Cape Breton Island, 71
'• Cape Carbonara, 356 n.
j Cape Circumcision, 130
; Cape Clear, 381, 499, 548, 552, 554
Cape Coast Castle, 79 n.
Cape Cod, 110
Cape Corrientes, 148
Cape Corse, 268, 274, 287, 353, 354, 356 n.
Cape de Creus, 384
Cape de Gata, 286, 448, 560
Cape del Melle, 274
I Cape Donna Maria, 251
Cape Durazzo, 356 and n.
Cape Farina, 549
Cape Fear River, 61
Cape Finisterre, 216, 387, 448, 476, 483 n.,
526, 554, 560
Cape Fran9ois, 249, 294, 334, 378, 528 n.,
550
Cape Frehel, 554, 557
Cape Gallo, 355
Cape Henry, 72, 109, 115, 492, 502
Cape Horn, 125, 127, 131, 132, 133
Cape Matapan, 279
Cape Mola, 273, 385
Cape Nicolas Mole, 251, 378
Cape Noli, 269
Cape of Good Hope, 76, 103, 105, 106, 107,
109, 114, 118, 119, 121, 129, 130, 131,
137, 138, 143, 145, 165, 179, 280, 281,
582
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
283 n., 294, 295, 296, 335, 336, 352, 379,
405, 414, 472, 556, 558
Cape Ortegal, 53, 387, 526, 536, 551
Cape Passaro, 355, 356 n.
Cape Pilar, 119, 120
Cape Roxo, 335
Cape Roux, 276 and n.
Cape San Lucas, 148
Cape Sicie, 352, 356 n., 385
Cape Spartel, 319, 448
Cape St. Vincent, 51, 278, 288, 304 n., 305-
319, 388, 548, 560
Cape Three Points, 69
Cape Town, 281
Cape Virgins, 118, 120
Capell (or Capel), Admiral the Hon. Sir
Thomas Bladen, 372 and n., 373, 516,
551
Capellen, R.-Ad. T. F. van, 410 and n.
Capitol, at Rome, The, 399
Capraia, 244, 415, 416
Capri, 390
Capricieuse, 53, 99, 114, 557
Captain, 203 n., 213, 269 n., 270, 271, 272,
274 n., 276, 285, 287, 288, 290, 309 n.,
311-317, 384, 385, 414, 415, 424
Captains, 157, 182, 183, 186, 187, 188
Captains of the Fleet, or First Captains,
203 n., 429, 431, 435, 454 n.
Captains' letters, Untrustworthiness of, 95
Captures, 109-116, 548-561
Capua, 389, 399 and n.
Caracciolo, Commod. Prince Francesco, 269
n., 396 and n., 397 and n., 398
Carawang River, 560
Carcass, 136
Garden, R.-Ad. John Surman, 351 and n.
Carew (formerly Hallowell), Admiral Sir
Benjamin Hallowell, 203 n., 210, 244,
245, 269 n., 271, 274 n , 289, 321 n., 357,
363, 377, 390, 401, 453, 454 n., 530, 549,
551, 556
Cariacou, 47, 333
Carical, 214
Caribe River, 517
Caribs, The, 494
Carkett, Capt. Robert, 111
Carlisle Bay, Barbados, 292
Carlotta, 466 n., 468
Carlyon, Capt. William, 109
Carmagnole, 480 n., 481, 531, 553
Carmen, 531, 561
Carnatic, 165
Carolina, 110
Caroline, 550, 552, 554
Caroline Island, 563
Carpentaria, Gulf of, 568, 569
Carpenter, Capt. the Hon. Charles, 203 n.,
492 n., 554
Carpenter, Admiral James, 247 n., 280, 530
Carpenters, 156, 188
Carpentier, Lieut. J. M. M., 498
Carrington, Boatswain , 317
Carrere, 375, 404, 450, 451, 558
Carrickfergus, 11, 12
Carronades, 23, 55 and n., 69, 71, 73, 80,
85, 96 and n., 98, 154, 178, 341 n., 440,
497, 498, 501 and n., 503, 534, 536, 544
Cartagena, South America, 551
Cartagena, Spain, 283, 286, 289, 305, 306,
384, 385, 386, 415, 449, 504, 505, 511,
560
Cartaux, General, 205, 206
Carteret, Com. Peter, 7, 8
Carteret, R.-Ad. Philip (2), 120-122, 571
Carteret Bay, 492
Carthagenaise, 374 and n., 423, 557
Carthew, Admiral James, 531 n., 550
Carthew, Captain William, 335, 560
Carysfort, 161, 485, 553, 554
Casa Bianca, Capt. Lucien, Comte de, 339 r
357, 366, 370 and n.
Casalta, General, 288
Cassard, 298 n.
Casteggio, 418
Castel del' Uovo, 391, 392, 393, 396, 398
Castel Nuovo, 391, 393, 394, 396, 398
Castel St. Elmo, 391, 393, 394, 399
Castellamare, 391
Castillo Viejo, 49
Castor, 67 and n., 68, 69, 111, 116, 161r
203 n., 217, 277, 281, 295 n., 485, 548,
553, 559
Cathcart (Mass. Navy), Capt. , 113
Cathcart, Capt. Robert, 370 n.
Cato, 112, 569, 570
Caton, 87, 88, 114
Caulfeild, Capt. Thomas Gordon, 377 n.
Causse, 356 n., 375, 458, 558
Cavalry captures a squadron, 279 n.
Cavan, Major-General Richard, 7th Earl of,
455
Cawley, Com. John, 562
Cawsand Bay, 239, 345
Cayenne, 509, 513, 516, 536
Cayley, Capt. George William, 333 n., 412
Celery, Wild, 128
Censeur, 204 n., 270, 271, 272, 278, 286,
291, 382 n., 387 n., 548, 553
Centaur, 47 n., 86, 88, 89, 112, 177, 377 n.,
384, 385, 560
Centaure, 203 n., 552
Central America, 49
Centurion, 93, 197 n., 281, 282, 294 n., 405,
424 n., 484, 487, 488, 560
Cephalonia, 324
Cerbere, 532, 557
Cerberus, 62 and n., 79, 99, 109, 112, 115,
326, 410, 491, 526. 527, 553, 555, 559
Ceres, 10, 22, 110, 113, 247 n., 248, 293,
505, 506, 526
Ceres, 114
Cerf, 34, 35, 530
Cerf Volant, 554
Cerigo, 510, 555
Certificates, false, 160-161
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
583
Cesar, 17 and n., 18, 99, 109, 114
Ceuta, 67, 116
Ceylon, 85, 282, 294, 472, 551
Chabot, General, 375 and n.
Ghalnour, 83 n.
Chamberlayne, Admiral Charles, 193, 274 n.
Champain, Capt. AVilliam, 517
Champion, 69 and n., 174 n., 341 n., 449,
558
Chance, 551, 5G1
Chandernagore, 214, 472
Channel, The, 4, 8, 9, 16, 27, 29, 31, 39, 52,
59, 60, 63, 70, 72, 110, 111, 112, 113,
114, 115, 143, 198, 215, 239, 255, 267,
278, 305, 337, 339, 344, 447, 477, 490,
498, 547, 549, 550, 552, 553, £56, 557,
558, 561
Channel Fleet, The, 168-172, 200, 215-240,
252, 260, 2^3, 304, 305, 335, 336, 345,
379, 380, 386, 387, 414, 447, 449
Channel Islands, The, 479, 483, 485
Chaplains, 188
Chapman, Swedish naval architect, Frede-
rick af, 339
Chapman, Com. Patrick, 331
Chapman, Master AVilliam, 562
Charente, 298 n., 509, 556
Charles Emmanuel, King of Sardinia, 375,
389
Charleston, 48 n. 66, 71 and n., 72, 113 n.
Charleston, S. Carolina, 48 and n., 49, 61,
74, 75, 109, 110, 113, 482
Charlestown, Massachusetts, 3
Charleton, Capt. William, 198 n.
Charlotte, 528 n., 550, 557, 565 n.
Charlotte Amalie, 431 n., 561
Charmante, 19, 49, 50
Charming Molly, 551
Charnock, quoted, 7 n., 15
Charon, 44, 45, 56, 75, 111, 198 n., 226, 260
n., 418, 454 n.
Charts, 361
Chase, a general, 219, 227, 231, 261, 270,
275, 346
Chaser, 77, 112
Chasseur, 115
Chatham, 151, 152, 154, 185 n., 566
Chatham, 46, 61, 74, 114, 145-149, 562
Chatham Island, 145
Chatham, John, Earl of, 150
Cheese, 170
Cheeseman, Lieut. Richard, 464
Chelsea, 186
Cherbourg, 338, 339, 340, 343, 479, 483 n.,
552
Cheri, 555
Chesapeake River and Bay, 61, 62, 72, 75,
93, 111, 113, 490, 553
Chesapeake, 26
Chevrette, 539, 540, 558
Chichester, 553
Chiffonne, 541, 558
Child, Admiral Smith, 194
Childers, 381,383, 388 n., 475, 512, 554(2),
556
Chile, Coast of, 118, 148
Chilleau, Captain Vicomte Du, 50
China, 549, 562, 570
Choc Bay, St. Lucia, 293
Chosan (or Chusan), 564
Christian, Capt. Brabazon, 32
Christian, Lieut, (actg.) Fletcher, 102, 103,
104, 106
Christian, R.-Ad. Sir Hugh Cloberry, 152,
193, 267, 291-293, 335, 336
Christie, Capt. Alexander, 76, 77, 112,
247 n.
Christi-Pailliere, Capt. J. A. C., 447 n., 459
and n., 466 n.
Christmas Harbour, 138
Christmas Sound, 133
Christ's Hospital, 144
Chronometers, 124, 130, 133, 138, 562, 563
Church, Capt. Stephen George, 502
Church, Lieut. Thomas, 468
Cigogne, 495
Ciilart, Capt. de Villeneuve, 69
Circe, 325, 326, 341 n., 408 n., 409, 479,
482, 552, 559
Circumnavigation, Byron's, 117
Cisalpine Republic, 418
Citoyenne Frangaise, 475, 476
Ciudadella, 378
Civil History of the Royal Navy, 150
Civita Vecchia, 353, 354, 356 n., 399
Clarence, Duke of (later William IV.), see
William Henry, Duke of Clarence,
Admiral of the Fleet Prince
Claris, Captain Jacob, 295 n.
Clark, Capt. Charles, 129, 138-143
Clark, Capt. James, 112
Clark, Capt. William (1), 280 n., 502
Clarke, General Aimed, 281
Clarke, Capt. George, 373 n.
Clarke, Lieut. Thomas, 248
Clay, R.-Ad. Edward Sneyd, 331, 430
Cleanliness, 128, 129, 134
Cleopatra, 538, 554
Cleopatre, 476, 477, 478, 543, 552
Clerks of the Acts, 151
Clermont, Colonel Prosper de, 214
Clesmeur, Capt. de, 94
Clinton, Colonel, 470
Clinton, General Sir H., 48
Clothing for prisoners of war, 185
Clyde, 523, 556, 561
Coastguard, The, 186
Cobb, R.-Ad. Charles, 408 n.
Coburg, 408 and n.
Cocarde, 255 n., 298 n., 300, 301
Cochin, 282
Cochrane, Lord : see Dundonald, Admiral
Lord
Cochrane, Admiral the Hon. Sir Alexander
Forester Inglis, 389 n., 414, 424 n., 454
n., 455, 457, 492
584
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Cochrane, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas
John, 160 n.
Cockburn, Admiral of the Fleet Sir George,
269 n., 274 n., 284, 307, 309 n., 319, 321
n., 450, 451, 505
Cockchafer, 551
Cooos Island, 148
Codrington, Admiral Sir Edward, 260 n.
Codrington, quoted, 224 n., 225 n.
Coffin, R.-Ad. Francis Holmes, 296
Coffin, Admiral Sir Isaac, 152
Coghlan, Capt. Jeremiah, 532 and n., 557
Colby, Capt. David, 348, 349, 454 n.
Cole, Capt. Sir Christopher, 413
Cole, Capt. Francis, 260 n., 299, 485, 495
Colins, Capt. Henry, 110 '
Co-Hard, R.-Ad. Valentine, 309 n., 453, 454
n., 549
Collier, Midshipman John, 321
Collier, V.-Ad. Sir George, 6, 26, 28, 29, 64,
113, 115, 392
Collier, Capt. Sir George Ralph, 541, 558
Colliers, used by Cook, 124, 129
Collingwood, Capt. Francis, 293
Collingwood, V.-Ad. Cuthbert, Lord, 111,
194, 226, 309 n., 313, 314 and n., 318,
387 n.
Collins, Lieut. Francis (1), 456
Collins, Capt. Sir John (1), 48, 90, 115, 203
n.
Collins, Lieut. John (2), 321, 369
Collis, Com. William, 309 n.
Collot, General, 249
Colnett, Capt. James, 549
Colombo, 294
Colonels of Marines, 181, 182
Colonial Navies, Losses of the American,
113
Colossus. 203 n., 237 n., 260 n., 261, 262,
263, 264, 304 n., 307, 309 n., 311, 317,
374, 550, 552
Colpoys (formerly Griffith), V.-Ad. Sir
Edward Griffith, 260 n., 415
Colpoys, Admiral Sir John, 63, 169, 171,
192, 240, 260 n., 265, 283, 297 and n.,
300, 491, 553
Columbia River, 147, 149
Columbus, 4
" Come, cheer up, my lads," 466
Comet, 174 n., 226, 274 n., 531 n., 550
Comino, 353, 471
Commanders, 157, 182, 186, 188
Commands of Flag-officers, 288 n., 379, 413
Commendah, 69, 79 and n.
Commerce of Great Britain, 198, 472, 473
Commerce de Bordeaux, 204 n.
Commerce da Marseille, 154, 204 n., 552
Commission des Cotes de La Manche, 338
339
Commissioners of the Navy, 150-152, HiO
Commissioners of Transport, 152
Committees, Navy Board, 151 n.
Compas, 31, 114
Compton, Com. Henry, 284
Comte d'Artois, 56
Conception, 309 n., 561
Concorde, 18 and n.. 19, 23 n., 27, 61, 94,
115, 237 n., 266 n., 343, 351, 448,449,
476, 483, 484, 496, 497, 532, 548, 552,
557
Conde de Henrique, 255 n.
Conde de liegla, 309 n., 310 n.
Conduct money, 157
Confederacy, 63, 113
Confederate, 63 and n., 65
Confirmee, 533
Confiante, 343, 555
Conflagration, 111, 203 n., 210, 548
Congalton, Lieut. Andrew, 549
Cougrejos Puint, Puerto Rico, 334
Congress of the United States, 10
Congress, 23 n., 24 n., 75, 111, 113
Conil Bay, 507
Conn, Capt. John, 430, 445
Conquerant, 204 n., 357, 361, 362, 364 and
n., 373 n., 556
Conquistador, 309 n.
Conseil, Capt., 488
Constance, 506, 507, 555, 561
Constantinople, 401 n., 404, 406
Constitutie, 409, 559
Constitution, 298 n., 377 n., 447 n., 452,
453, 551, 554
Consulate, in France, The, 413
Contest, 412, 550
Contraband of war, 47, 166, 509
Controllers of the Navy, 150
Controllers of the Treasurer's Accounts,
151
Controllers of the Victualling Accounts,
151
Controllers of the Storekeeper's Accounts,
151
Convention, 226, 254
Convention Nationale, 552
Convention Redoubt, Corsica, 243
Convert, 114, 548, 552
Convoys, 7, 8. 11, 22, 25, 27, 29, 32, 35,
46, 47, 49, 54, 55, 56, 61, 62, 66, 68, 76,
81, 83, 86, 87, 91, 92, 101, 200, 202, 215,
216, 217, 237, 239, 241, 255, 267, 278,
280, 281, 284, 305, 377, 380, 387 n., 419,
426, 427, 451, 453, 459, 484, 486, 492,
494, 495, 508, 509, 513, 526, 528, 529,
530, 531, 535, 539, 547
Con way, Hon. Hugh Seymour: see Seymour,
Lord Hugh
Conyngham, II. S. N., Master Gustavus, 4,
113
Cook, Capt. Edward, 205, 509, 520, 521 and
n., 556
Cook, Capt. James (1), 123-135, 137-143,
145, 562, 563, 564, 566, 568, 571
Cook's Way, 126
Cook's River, 139, 148
Cooktown, 328
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
585
Cooke, Capt. John (1), 226, 411, 415, 424,
558
Cooke, Capt. John (2), 334, 506, 555
Cooper liiver, 49
Coote, General Sir Eyre, 341 and n., 455,
457
Copenhagen, 103 n., 107, 138, 184 n., 427-
440, 442, 561
Coppering ships, 52
Coquette, 95, 115
Coguille, 344, 346, 347, 348, 495, 556
Corbett, Capt. Rohert, 551
Corcyre, 510, 555
Cordova, Admiral Don Jose de, 305-320
Corea, 564
Corfu, 324, 355, 375, 390, 516, 556
Corio, 418
Cork, 301 and n., 335, 379, 381, 413, 484,
553
Cormack, Lieut. Richard, 439
Cormantyne, 79 n.
Cormorant, 74, 84, 110, 111, 115, 293, 377
n., 549, 550, 554 (2), 560 (3)
Curnclie, 522
Corueto, 399
Comic, R.-Ad., 238 and n., 239
Cornish, (formerly Pitchford), Admiral
Samuel Pitchford, 107, 191, 198
Cornwall, 111
Cornwallis, Admiral the Hon. Sir William,
88, 182, 192, 198 and n., 214, 240, 241,
255 and n., 256-260, 291 n.
Cornwallis, General Lord, 61
Cornwallis, 26, 112
Coronwndel, 377 n.
Coron, Gulf of, 279, 355
Correjou, 513, 556
Corsellis, Lieut. Ctesar, 551
Corsica, 152, 212, 243-245, 268, 285, 286,
287, 288, 307, 353, 354, 548, 557
Corso, 558 (2), 560
Cortez, 5C1
Corunna, 560, 561
Corvesse, 558
Cosby, Admiral Phillips, 48, 108, 191, 202,
203 n.
Cute d'Ur, 215
Cotes, Captain James, 185, 480, 481, 548
Cot^rave, Capt. Isaac, 226, 445, 446, 548
Cattle (Mar.), Lieut. William, 348
Cotton, Admiral Sir Charles, 194, 226, 255
n., 387 n.
Cotton, V.-Ad. Rowland, 192
Coude, Capt., 272 n.
Coudin, Capt. J. I)., 343, 532
Councils of War, 208, 264, 287, 429
Countess, R.-Ad. George, 226, 345, 346
Countess of Scarborough, 35-39, 110
Courageuse, 375, 386, 400, 556
Courageux, 47 n., 60, 114, 154, 160 n., 203
n., 210, 212 and n., 269 n., 271, 272,
274 n., 289, 424, 449, 549
Courand, Capt. Jean Fra^ois, 226
Coureur, 13, 15, 110, 114
Coureme, 491
Courier, 488, 522, 553, 556
Courier National, 492, 553
Couronne, 82 n., 92 n., 93, 204 n.
Couitenay, Capt. George William Augustus,
89, 478
Courts-Martial, 7, 12 n., 16 n., 18 n., 19 n.,
20 n., 22 n., 24 n., 25 n., 26 n., 29 and n.,
31 n., 32 n., 33 n., 44 n., 50 n., 51 and n.,
55 and n., 57 n., 59 and n., 65 n., 66 and
n., 68, 71 n., 77 n., 81 n., 82, 83 u., 86,
89 n., 95 and n., 96 and n., 102 n., 105,
10G, 158, 159 and n., 167 and n., 172 n.,
176, 177, 180 and n., 181, 229, 240, 241,
242, 24C, 267, 268, 291 n., 292 n., 303 n.,
319, 330 n., 331 n., 414 and n., 415 and
n., 453 and n., 465 and n., 486 n., 488,
491, 510, 516, 519, 543 n., 563, 564
Courts of Inquiry, 90
Coutances, 25
Coventry, 19, 77, 85, 112
Cowley, the navigator, 118
Cox, Lieut. Francis, 210
Cruche 1'^eu, 553
Cracker, 560
Cracraft, Capt. William Edward, 233, 254,
488, 548
Cradock, Major-General, 455
Craig, Major, 61
Craig, Major-General, 281, 406
Cranstoun, Capt. James, Lord, 255 n.
Crash, 341 n., 522, 550, 559
Craven, Capt. Charles, 112
Crawford, Capt. James Coutts, 381 .
Crawley, Admiral Edmund, 334 n.
Creole, 447 n., 448, 452, 453
Crescent, 40, 66-69, 111, 295 and n., 295 n.,
296, 479, 485, 528, 543 n., 545, 546, 552,
557, 561
Cresswell, (Mar.) Capt. John, 369, 374
Creyke, Capt. Richard (1), 6L
Crillon, Due de, 74
Criminals in the Navy, 156, 530
Criminals lauded in Wales, French, 506
Crispo, Capt. John, 454 n.
Croasdaile, Lieut. Thomas Pearson, 551
Crofton, Com. Ambrose, 550
Croisic, 53
Cromwell, Henry : see Frankland, H. C.
Cronstadt, 442
Crookhaven, 304 n.
Crossley, the astronomer, Mr. John, 562,
568
Crown Prince of Denmark, The, 437, 438
Crozet, Capt., 134
Cruelle, 452, 454 n., 455, 557
Cruiser, 109, 430
Cruisers in 1796-97, Stations of, 546, 547
Crul, R.-Ad. Willem, 61
Cuba, 58, 538, 550, 551
Cuddalore, 94
Cuervo, 561
586
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Culloden, 111, 167, 168, 226, 231, 235, 240,
241, 274 and n., 275, 276, 277, 279, 289,
307, 309 n., 310, 312, 313, 317, 322, 355,
357, 361, 363 and n., 370 and n., 371, 372,
373, 374, 390, 400, 402, 420
Culverhouse, Capt John, 284, 454 n., 505
Cumberland, 274 and n., 275, 276, 277, 449,
570, 571
Cuming, R.-Ad. William, 430
dimming, Admiral James, 118, 192
Cunningham, Capt. Charles, 203 n., 213,
523, 556, 561
Cupid, 109
Cura9oa, 425, 472
Curieuse, 16, 553, 557
Curieux, 149 n., 536, 552
Curlew, 549
Curry, V.-Ad. Richard, 454 n., 457
Curtis, Admiral Sir Roger, 182, 193, 226,
228 n., 239, 283, 297, 304, 336, 354, 379,
414
Curzon, Admiral the Hon. Henry, 197 n.,
237 n., 388 n., 424, 549
Cuthbert, Capt, Robert, 369, 370 n., 381
Cutting-out Expeditions, 321 n., 334 n., 335,
376, 406, 417, 445, 446, 488, 492, 496,
510, 513, 522, 527, 528, 531, 532, 533,
534, 535, 538, 539, 540, 555, 556, 557,
558, 561
Cybele, 214, 487, 488, 502
Cyclops, 92, 115, 274 n., 279, 415, 454 n.
Cygne, 554
Cynthia, 415, 424, 454 n., 457
Cyprus, 404 n., 455
CACHES, Capt. Barrington, 551
Dacres, V.-Ad. James Richard (1), 10, 22,
110, 195, 251, 260 n., 309 n.
Dacres, V.-Ad. Richard, 554
D/fdalus, 146, 147, 304 n., 405, 400, 519,
520, 555, 556, 560
Daendels, Lieut-General, 409
Dalbarade, Capt. S. (2), 357, 370
Dale, U.S.N., Lieut. Richard, 73
Dallis, John, 51
Dalrymple, the Hydrographer, Alexander,
128, 130, 134, 152, 186, 187, 568
Dalrymple, Capt. Hugh, 109
Dalrymple, Capt. James, 454 n.
Dalrymple, Admiral John, 191
Dame de Grace, 402 n., 522, 550, 556
Damerell, Master Henry, 422 n.
Damietta, 400, 402, 406, 556
Dampier, the navigator, 122
Dana'e, 180, 513, 530, 550, 556 (2), 557
Danae, 25, 114
Dangereuse, 402 n., 454 n., 455, 556
Dangerous Archipelago, 119
Daniel, Lieut. Robert Savage, 369, 370 n.
Danish losses, 561
Dankbaarheid, 70
Danmark, 431 n.
Dannebrog, 431 n., 433 n., 436 n., 439, 561
Daphne, 254, 412, 488, 548
Daphne, 326, 328 and n., 509, 554
Darby, Admiral Sir Henry d'Esterre, 357,.
368, 369, 391, 460, 466 n.
Darby, V.-Ad. George, 64, 65, 66
Dardanelles, The, 279
Dart, 341 n., 342, 430, 432, 439, 531, 557,.
560
1 >artmouth, 88
Dashwoud, V.-Ad. Sir Charles, 540
Dauphin, 115
Dauphin Royal, 204 n.
Davers, Capt. Charles Sydney, 333 n., 554
Davies, the mutineer, 176
Davies, Capt. Henry, 109
Davies, Master's Mate William, 369
Davis, Lieut, Lewis, 522, 550
Davis, Com. Matthew, 112
Davis, the buccaneer, Edward, 122
Davis Strait, 137
Davis's Land, 122, 127, 132
Davison, Nelson's agent, Mr. Alexander, 183-
Dawes, Lieut. Richard, 228
Dawson, Capt. George, 17, 48, 72, 75, 111
Dawson, Lieut. T , 326
Deal, 186, 446
Deal Castle, 58, 111
Deal Hospital, 187
Deane, 80, 112
Deans, Admiral Robert (1), 111, 194
Death Penalty, the. 50 and n., 106, 167,
176, 177-179, 180, 241, 287
Debusk, Lieut. William, 376, 556
Decade, 516, 550
Decaen, governor of Mauritius, 571 and n.
Decasse, Capt., 492
De Cerf, Com. C., 295 n.
Decius, 504, 554
De Courcy, Admiral Hon. Michael (1), 346,
414, 516
Decouverte, 555
Decres, R.-Ad. Denis, 339, 357, 372, 374,
419, 420-422
Dedaiyneuse, 19, 536, 542, 557
De Falck, Com. G. A., 295 n.
Defence, 29, 168 n., 180, 202, 226, 227,
228, 230, 231, 274 and n., 270, 27'", 357,
361, 364, 365, 367, 369 n., 384 n., 431,
435 n., 437, 557
Defender, 560
Defiance, 48, 110, 116, 168 n., 384, 428,
430, 432 n., 433, 435, 436, 437, 438, 439,
440
Deyo, 374 and n., 423, 557
De Jong, Capt C., 410
De Jonge, quoted, 61 n.
Delafons, Com. John, 430
Delanoe, Com. George Augustus, 175 n.
Delaware, 113
Delaware, River and Bay, 13, 16, 72, 80,
89, 91, 113, 115, 549
Delegates of the fleet; at Spithead, 168—
171; at the Nore, 172-176
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
587
Delft, 326, 329 n., 330, 331, 559 (2)
Delight, 61, 111
Delorme, Captain, 492
Demerara, 62, 63, 112, 291, 472, 558
Deniau, Captain Francois A., 479
Denmark, 200, 426 et seq., 470, 472, 529,
538
Deptford, 124, 154, 187
Deputy Controllers of the Navy, 151
De Ruijter, 410, 559
Desaix, General, 353, 406
Desaix, 447 n., 450, 459 and n., 462, 463,
466 n.
Deserters, 73, 103, 157, 172
Desgarceaux, Commod., 483
Desirade, 280, 488
Desiree, 430, 433, 434, 438, 439, 440, 531,
532, 555, 557
Desmartie, Capt., 226
Destin, 203 n., 552
Determinee, 558
Deux Amis, 550
Deux Freres, 402 n., 556
Devaux, Brigadier-General, 459
Deviation caused by iron in ships, 571
Devonshire, Capt. Sir John Ferris, 430
De Winter, V.-Ad. J. W., (Graaf van
Huessen), 326-331
Diadem, 203 n., 269 n., 272, 274 n., 279,
284, 309 n., 311, 314, 321, 415
Diamond, 252-254, 340, 415, 454 n., 486,
487, 492, 493, 495, 496, 554 (2), 555,
561
Diana, 3, 422, 486, 526
Diane, 25, 357, 368 and n., 374, 422, 557
Dick, Capt. Thomas, 557
Dick, Admiral John, 454 n.
Dickinson, Com. Francis, 446 n.
Dickson, Admiral Sir Archibald (1), 192,
203 n., 243, 427
Dickson, R.-Ad. Sir Archibald Collingwood,
408 n., 431
Dicksou, Midshipman Charles, 416 n.
Dickson, V.-Ad. Edward Stirling, 333 n.,
517
Dickson, Admiral William, 192
Dictateur, 204 n., 552
Dictator, 454 n.
Dido, 203 n., 246, 454 n., 492, 493, 553 (2)
Dieppe, 114
Digby, Admiral Sir Henry, 377 n., 391, 525,
555, 560
Digby, Admiral the Hon. Hobert, 49, 72,
114, 191
Diligence, 551
Diligent, 3, 26 and n., 109, 110, 113, 326
Diligente, 57, 72, 115, 213, 557 (2)
Dilkes, Admiral John, 431
Diomede, 91 and n., 113, 154, 282, 487,
488, 548
Director, 174 n., 175, 326
Directory, The French, 343, 352, 404, 413,
510
Discipline, naval, 167-181, 184, 199
Discovery, 137-143, 145-149, 175 n., 430
Disease, 49, 129
Dispatch, 109
Dives River, 343
Dix Aout, 447 n., 452, 453
Dixon, Capt. Charles, 95
Dixon, Capt. John William Taylor, 431,
549
Dixon, Admiral Sir Manley, 177 n., 376,
390, 418, 420, 421, 4*2, 449, 450, 511,
556, 560
Dobbie, Capt. William Hugh (1) 294 n., 560
Dobree, Capt. Daniel, 89 n., 110
Dockyards, Commissioners at H. M., 151,
152
Dockyards, The Royal, 187
Dod, Admiral Edmund, 115, 194, 198 n.
Doggersbank, Battle of the, 116
Dolce, Gulf of, 45
Dolfijn, 559
Dolly, 260 n.
Dolores, 115
Dolphin, 9, 113, 117, 119-121, 129, 138,
203 n., 377 n., 454 n., 559
Domett, Admiral Sir William, 197 n., 226,
260 n., 389 n., 429, 431
Dominica, 280, 549
Dondoux, Capt., 494
Donegal, 348, 556
Donegal, Coast of, 345
Doningtoii, 565, 568
Donnelly, Admiral Sir Ross, 558
Dordelin, jr., Capt. L. A., 447 n.
Dordrecht, 67 n., 295 n., 559
Doris, 302, 345, 348, 415, 500, 539,554(2),
555, 558
Dortrecht, 559
Douarnenez, 336 n.
Douglas, Capt. Sir Andrew Snape, 74, 114,
226, 260 n., 552
Douglas, Lieut. Archibald, 179 n., 334 n.
Douglas, Admiral Billy, 195, 280 n., 295 n.
Douglas, Admiral James (2), 195, 274 n.
Douglas, Com. John (2), 324
Douglas, Admiral JoKn Leigh, 194
Douglas (Mar.), Major John, 402
I Douglas, Capt. Stair (1), 25, 110
Douglas, Com. William Henry (2), 331
Douville, Capt., 226
Dover, 164
Dover, 560
Down, R.-Ad. Edward Augustus, 317
Downman, Admiral Hugh, 416, 509
Downs, The, 46, 76, 118, 119, 166, 336,
379, 408, 413, 426, 427, 444, 445
Doyle, Major-Geaeral, 267
Draak, 524, 559
Dragon, 381, 387 n., 449, 452, 557
Drake, Sir Francis, 139
Drake, Jl.-Ad. Sir Francis Samuel, 48
Drake, Com. Francis Thomas, 111
Drake, 11, 12 and n., 13, 95, 109, 334
.588
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Draper, Capt, John (2), 260 n.
Dreadnought, 154
Drew, Cora. James, 549
Drew, Capt. John (1), 197 n., 213
Drew, Capt. John (2), 555
Driu, Gulf of, 324
Drink water, Lieut.-Colonel, 307
Drogden, 440
Droits de I'Homme, 255 n., 262, 298 n., 302,
303, 30i and n., 555
Droits du Peuple, 554
Droits of Admiralty, 163
Dromedary, 247 n., 248, 551
Droop, Lieut. J. J., 410
Di'uid, 7 and n., 8, 341 n., 454 n., 485,
555
Drummond, Admiral Sir Adam, 390, 400
Drummond, Com. John Auriol, 110
Drummond, Lieut.-Col., 249
Drummond, charge d'affaires at Copen-
hagen, Mr., 428
Drury, Admiral Thomas, 73, 74, 500, 554 (2)
Drury, V.-Ad. William O'Brien, 112, 326,
391
Dryad, 498 and n., 499 and n., 500, 554 (2)
Dn/ade, 255 n.
Dublin, 4, 11, 70, 100
Dubois, 356 n., 375
Du Chayla, R.-Ad. Blanquet, 353, 357
Due de CJiartres, 83 n., 86, 115
Ducos, Roger, 413
Duchess of Cumberland, 111
Ducie, Capt. Francis Reynolds Moreton
(previously Fras. Reynolds), Lord, 2 1 , 22,
26, 27, 61, 62, 109
Duckworth, Admiral Sir John Thomas, 182,
19-1, 226, 293, 377' and n., 378, 383, 384,
391, 414, 470 and n., 530, 561
Dudman's Dock, Deptford, 187 n.
Duel, 145 n.
Dufay, Capt., 298 n.
Duff,"Capt. George, 529
Dufossey, Capt., 298 n.
Dugommier, General, 208, 210
Duyuay Trouin, 94, 203 n., 484 and n.,
552, 553
Duides, 561
Huif, 409, 559
Duke, 168 n., 213
Duke of York, 300
Dumanoir Le Pelley, R.-Ad., 298 n., 339,
376, 459, 465, 469
Dumaresq, Capt. Philip, 409
Dumaresq, Admiral Thomas, 192
Dumas, General, 353
Dumenil de Lestrille, Com., 326
Dumoutier, Capt., 226
Dumuy, General, 353
Dun, Master Michael, 331
Duncan, Admiral Adam, Viscount, 173, 174
176, 181, 198, 279, 283, 324-333, H35, <
378, 379, 407, 408, 414, 493, 498, 554 .,
558, 559
Duncan (Portug. Navy), Capt. Crauford,
466 n.
Duncan, Capt. Henry (1), 151, 152
Duncan, Capt. Henry (2), 551 (2)
Duncan, Com. J , 111 (2)
Dundas, R.-Ad. George, 408 n.
Dundas, R.-Ad. the Hon. George Heneage
Laurence, 459, 460, 466 n.
Dundas (later Lord Melville), Rt. Hon.
Henry, 150
Dundas', Major-General, 180, 243, 244, 248,
249
Dundas, Com. Ralph, 76, 111
Dundas, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas, 500
Dundonald, Admiral Thomas Lord (Lord
Cochrane), 459 and n., 465 n., 538, 539,
551, 561
Dundonald, Lord, quoted, 385 n.
Dungeness, 549
Dunlop, Lieut. Rohert Wallace, 430
Dunn, Capt. Richard Dalling, 448, 551
Dunquerque, Dunkerque, or Dunkirk, 4,
24, 111, 201 n., 338, 341, 490, 531, 550,
551, 557
Duqua, General, 353
Duquesne, 271, 277, 286, 291, 553
Daras, 280, 553
Durham, Admiral Sir Philip Charles Calder-
wood Henderson, 266 n., 345, 346, 350,
482, 495, 508, 509, 555, 556, 561
Dusky Bay, 131, 145
" Dutch Armament" of 1787, The, 102
Dutch Guiana, 413
Dutch iuhospitality to Carteret, 122
Dutch losses, 1780-82, 116
Duvall, Com. Thomas, 373, 551
Dysentery, 129
Dyson, Com. Thomas, 111
Eagle, 123, 176
Earl of Bute, 109
Earnshaw, Lieut. William, 324
Earthquake, 121
East India Company, The, 143, 162, 170,
186, 282, 373, 471
East India Company, French, 201 n., 483
East Indiamen, 33, 143, 162, 165, 214, 281,
294, 483 and n., 506, 529, 532, 533, 540,
557, 563
East Indiamen, Dutch, 70, 89, 94, 409
East Indies, The, 19, 55, 70, 76, 77, 81, 83,
94, 95, 111, 112, 114, 115, 198 and n.,
214, 215, 217, 241, 281, 282, 294, 297,
330, 338, 352, 371, 379, 405, 414, 457,
484, 547, fi50, 553, 556, 558, 559, 560
Easter Island, 122, 132
Eastwood, Com. Thomas. 109
Echo, 111, 280 n., 281, 29 J, 295 n., 558
Echoue, 553
Eclair, 203 n., 274 n., 535, 552, 553, 557
Ecluse, 25, 114
Ecureuil, 497, 554
Edgar, 383, 384 n., 430, 433, 439, 442
INDEX TO VOL 0 ME IV.
589
Edgar, Midshipman John, 321 n.
Edgar, Lieut. Thomas, 138 and u.
Edge, Capt. William, 210, 260 n.
Edinburgh, 35, 185 u.
Edisto Inlet, North, 48
Edmonds, Capt. Joseph, 341 n.
Edward, 4
Edwards, Admiral Edward, 104, 105, 195
Edwards, Com. John (1), 549
Edwards, Com. John (2), 478, 531 n., 550
Edwards, Admiral Richard, 191
Edwards, Admiral Sampson, 65, 111, 195,
24T n.
Edwards, Capt. Timothy, 111
Edwards, Capt. Valentine, 550
Effingham, 113
Egero, 493
Egg Island Harbour, 110
Egmond, 329
Ecjmont, 27, 50 n., 58, 100, 110, 203 n.,
243, 269 n., 270, 272, 274 n., 287, 288,
309 n., 311, 317, 554
Eyalite, 554 (2)
Egypt, 337, 352, 354, 376, 400-407, 413.
423, 424, 425, 447, 4J8, 450 and n., 452,
454-458, 472, 535, 537, 550, 551, 556
Egi/pte, 558
Eyyptien, 528
Egyptienne, 455, 458 and n., 557, 558
Kilbracht, Capt. H. J. F., 326, 410
Einieo, 120, 139
Ekins, Admiral Sir Charles, 412
El Arich, 400, 403, 406, 423, 424, 458
Elba, 243, 285, 287, 288, 450, 451, 558
Elbe, River, 110, 519, 549, 550
Eldon, John Scott, Earl of, 166
Elephant, 428, 430, 431, 433, 435 n., -136 n.,
438, 439, 440 n., 442
Elephanten, 430, 431 n.
Elise, 47, 114
Klisabeth, 502
Eliza, 554
Elizabeth, 26, 554
Elliot, Admiral the Hon. Sir George (3),
quoted, 160
Elliot, Sir Gilbert : see Minto, Earl of
Elliot, Admiral John (1), 191
Elliot, Lord Heathfield, General George Au-
gustus, 143
Elliott, Com. William, 341 n.
Ellison, Capt. Joseph, 177 and n., 178, 260,
266 n., 485
Ellison, Master's Mate Thomas, 369
Elminn, 79
Elphinstoiie. Hon. Charles : see Fleeming,
Admiral Hon. Charles Elphinstone
Elphinstoiie, the Hon. George Keith: see
Keith, Admiral Viscount
Elphinstone, Capt. John (2), 226, 280 n.,
295 n., 449, 454 n.
Elphinstone, Capt. Thomas, 284, 324, 550
Elphinstone, Master's Mate William, 102
Elsiuore, 428 u.
Elven, 431 n.
Embargo on shipping, 156, 286, 427, 442
Embroye, 552
Embuscade, 277, 326, 329 n., 330, 344, 346,.
347, 348, 410, 478, 479, 556, 559 (2)
Emerald, 47 n., 319, 321, 322, 324, 351,
352, 354, 373 and n., 376, 385, 427 n.
507, 530, 531, 556
Emeriau, Capt. M. J., 357
Kmparran, Capt. Don J., 466 n.
Ems, River, 551, 559
Endeavour, 110, 124-129, 143
Endeavour Reef, 127
Endeavour River, 128
Endeavour Strait, 128
Endermo Bay, 563
Endymion, 58, 91, 92, 154, 560
Knrjagi-ante, 16 n., 84, 483, 484, 552
England, Com. Robert, 331
Ensigns : see Flags
Enterprise. 68, 109
Entreprenant, 204 n., 206, 226
Entreprenante, 454 n., 455
Eolan, 529 n.
Eole, 200 n., 202 n., 223, 226, 229, 230, 298
n., 528, 529 and n., 557
Epaulettes, 182 and n.
Epervier, 555
Epron, Capt. Jacques, 529
Erquy, 495
Erskine, Lieut. James, 416
Escars, Capt. d', 27
Esmeralda, 526, 533, 561
Esptrance, 490, 536, 553
Espierjle, 201 n., 283, 412, 482, 522, 552 (2>
Espion, 115, 485, 486, 487 and n., 548, 550,
553 (2)
Espiritu Santo, 132, 133
Espoir, 390 n., 391, 513, 520, 555, 556 (2),
560
Esquerra, Capt. Don J., 466 u.
Essequibo, 63, 291, 472
Essington, V.-Ad. Sir William, 295 n., 326,
331, 553
Estaing, V.-Ad. Charles H. Comte d', 16,
17, 31, 32, 47, 109, 110, 119
Etaples, 446, 558
Etats de Bourgoqne, 215
Ethalion, 154, 345, 346, 347, 348, 349, 525,
526, 550, 560
Etienue, Capt. Francois, 226
Etienne, Capt. J. P., 357
Etna, 446, 554
Etoile, 495, 554
Etonnant, 554
Etourdie, 495, £54
Etrusco, 550
Eua, 131
Euyene, 91
Eugenie, 446 n.
Europa, 197 n., 214, 251, 415, 454 n.
Europe, 48
Eurus, 454 n., 558
590
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Eurydice, 89, 340, 485
Evans, Capt. Andrew Fitzherbert, 497,
554
Evans, V.-Ad. Henry, 554
Evans, Capt. Henry Francis, 71
Evans, Admiral John, 191
Eveille, 62, 554, 558
Everitt, Charles Holmes : see Calmady, Ad-
miral C. H. E.
Everitt, Capt. Michael John, 27
Examination for the rank of Lieutenant,
160, 161
Excellent, 241, 309 n., 311-314, 316, 317,
525, 556, 558
Exchange of prisoners, 184, 185
Executions : see Death Penalty
Exeter, 532, 557
Exmouth, Admiral Sir Edward Pellew,
Lord, 182 and n., 299, 300 and n., 302,
305, 387, 414, 424, 476, 477 and n., 483,
486, 495, 496, 508, 513, 532, 552, 553,
554 (3), 555, 556
Expeditie, 409, 559
Expedition, 341 n., 454 n.
Expedition, 40, 43, 44, 553
Expenditure on the Navy, 152, 153
Experiment, 298 n.
Experiment, 20, 21, 25, 32, 110, 113, 114,
247.il., 280, 417, 454 n., 549
Explosion, 389 n., 430
Explosions, 3, 10, 18, 29, 36, 37, 42, 56, 58,
74, 97, 98, 116, 209, 210, 243, 277, 366,
368, 369, 372, 401, 403, 429, 439, 457,
467, 468, 491, 497, 503, 512, 517, 518,
525 and n., 543, 548, 549, 550, 553
Eyre, V.-Ad. Sir George, 548
Eyles, V.-Ad. Thomas, 424,
FACTORY ISLAND, 510
Faddy (Mar.), Capt. William, 369
Fairfax, V.-Ad. Sir William George, 15, 16,
109, 114, 195, 326, 332, 389 n.
Fairy, 57, 61, 111, 197 n., 529, 530, 557
Falcon, 109, 198 n., 531 n., 550
Falconer, master in the merchant marine,
John, 77 n.
Falkland Islands, 1, 2, 118
Fall, the pirate, 100
Falmouth, 111, 201, 252, 300 and n., 558
Falmouth, U.S.A., 4
False Bay, Cape Colony, 295
False muster, 159
False statements, 160, 161
Fancourt, V.-Ad. Robert Devereux, 430
Fane, R.-Ad. Francis William, 376 and n.
Fanshawe, Lieut. Henry (1), 179 n.
Fanshawe, Capt. Robert (1), 152
Farmer, Capt. George, 2, 40-42, 73, 110
Faron, Heights of, 207, 208
Farragut, Admiral David Glasgow, 49
Faulknor, Admiral Jonathan (1), 108, 191
Faulkner, R.-Ad. Jonathan (2), 111, 476,
486, 550
Faulknor, Capt. Robert (3), 247 n., 248,
488, 489, 553
Faulknor, Com. William Humphry, 551
Faure, Capt. G. A., 447 n.
Fauvette, 418
Favorite, 554
Favourite, 2, 333 and n.
Fayal, 33
Fayerman, V.-Ad. Francis, 326
Fearney, Seaman William, 316
Fee, 69, 70, 83 and n., 96
Fees for Admiralty commissions and war-
rants, etc., 188
Feilding, Capt. Charles (1), 3, 47
Felicite. 277
Feliz, 560
Fellowes, V.-Ad. Sir Edward, 333 n., 560
Fendant, 32
Feitelon, 114
Fenix, 115
Ferdinand IV., of Naples, 375, 389, 390,
393, 394, 396, 398, 400, 499
Fergusson, Admiral John, 195
Ferret, 109
Ferrett, Lieut. Francis, 331
Ferris, Capt. Solomon, 460, 463, 464, 465
and n., 551
Ferrol, 59, 62, 381, 382, 388, 389, 424, 425,
536, 560
Fever, 129
Fidele, 255 n., 298 n.
Fidelite, 83 n.
Field, Com. Francis Ventris, 549
Fille Unique, 298 n., 304 n.
Filtering appliances, 188
Finalinarina, 284
Finch, R.-Ad. the Hon. William Clement,
7, 111, 193
Finisterre, 21, 27, 46, 52, 62, 516, 556
Finland, Gulf of, 442
Finlay, Midshipman Moyle, 331
Finn, Master George, 414
Fir as a building material, 154
Fireballs, 377
Firebrand, 111
Fireships, 153, 216, 226, 246, 260 n., 278,
430, 436, 531 and n., 532
Firm, 154
Firme, 309 n.
Fischer, Commod., 433 n., 439
Fish, Admiral John, 94, 195
Fishburn, 565 n.
Fisher, Capt. Richard, 110, 198 n.
Fishermen, 186
Fishguard, or Fisgard, 506 and n.
Fishguard, 154, 350 and n., 351, 414, 507,
534, 555, 556, 557 (3), 561 (2)
Fishing vessels, Destruction of, 291
Fitton, Lieut. Michael, 425, 535
Fitzgerald, Lord Charles : see Lecale, Lord
Fitzgerald, Lord Edward, 296
Fitzgerald, V.-Ad. Sir Robert Lewis, 342
Fitzgerald family, Arms of the, 188
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
591
Fitzherbert, V.-Ad. Thomas, 48, 191
Fitzhugh Sound, 146
Fitzroy, Capt. Lord Augustus (2), 197 n.
Flag, The national, 188-190
Flags, 10, 11, 51, 62, 78, 222
Flag-officers, 157, 166, 167, 182, 183, 188,
191-195
Flamborough Head, 35, 36, 51, 76, 550
Fleche, 274 n., 480 n., 541, 542, 548, 553,
558
Fleeming (formerly Elphinstone), Admiral
Hon. Charles Elphinstone, 549
Fleet in 1793, Distribution of the, 197 and
n., 198 and n.
Fleur d'Kpee, Guadeloupe, 248, 249
Flibustier, 555
Flinders, Capt. Matthew, 565-571
Flinders, Lieut. Samuel William, 568
Floating batteries, 155, 548
Flora, 6 and n., 7, 13, 55 and n., 56 and n.,
66, 67 and n., 68, 69, 99, 109, 113, 114,
116, 252, 279, 427 n., 454 n., 483, 484,
486, 510, 552, 555 (2), 561
Florence, 389
Florentina, 531, 561
Florida, 109, 550
Florida, 3
Florida Blanca, Conde de, 145
Florida, Gulf of, 109, 549, 560
Flour, 170, 171
Flushing, 341 and n., 342, 501
Flute, En, 31 n.
Fly, 111, 198 n., '251, 551
Flying Fish, 112, 214, 548
Fog, 217, 221, 224, 291
Foley, Admiral Sir Thomas (3), 203 n., 206,
269 n., 274 n., 309 n., 320, 357, 361, 430,
432, 435 n , 437 and n.
Folkestone, 4
Folkestone, 16, 109
Fooks, R.-Ad. William, 194
Foote, V.-Ad. Sir Edward James, 307 n.,
309 n., 319, 373 n., 390, 391 and n., 392,
393, 394, 395, 396, 398, 497, 510, 554, 555
Forbes, Midshipman James Morrison Bigges,
403
Forbes, Admiral of the Fleet the Hon.
John, 191
Forbes, Capt. the Hon. Robert (1), 226
Forbes, Major-General, 293
Forbes, Lieut. R , 551
Ford, V.-Ad. John, 113, 192, 197 n., 214,
250, 251, 552
Ford, Midshipman Zebedee, 369
Ford, Lieut. George Arnold. H37
Foreigners in the Navy, 156, 180
Foreign languages, Importance of a know-
ledge of, 253, 254 and n.
Forfait, the engineer, Pierre Alexandra
Laurent, 339 and u.
Formidable, 154, 255 and n., 262, 264, 283,
387 n., 447 n., 450, 459, 462, 463, 466 n.,
467, 468, 469, 553
Formosa, 563
Forneilli, 212
Fornello, 377
Forrest, a seaman, 181
Forister, the naturalists, The Messrs., 129
Fort Aiguillette, Toulon, 210
Fort Amsterdam, Surinam, 413
Fort Balaguier, Toulon, 208, 210
Fort Bourbon, Martinique, 247, 248
Fort Brissoton, Haiti, 251
Fort Carlos, Mahon, 378
Fort Churchill, Hudson's Bay, 85
Fort George (Madras), 214
Fort La Malgue, 206, 209
Fort Louis, Martinique, 247, 248
Fort Malbousquet, 206, 208
Fort Mathilde, Guadeloupe, 250
Fort Miessiesy, 208
Fort Moultrie, Charleston, 48, 49
Fort Mulgrave, 208
Fort Oostenburg, 76, 282
Fort Pcnthievre, 266
Fort Royal, Martinique, 247, 248, 333, 413
Fort St. Louis, Guadeloupe, 248
Fort Santa Garcia, 461, 462
Fort Scarborough, Tobago, 213
Fort William (Calcutta), 214
Fort York, Hudson's Bay, 85
Forte, 502, 520-522, 543 n., 544, 551, 556
Forth, Firth of, 35, 100, 558
Fortitude, 203 n., 243, 269 n., 272, 274 n.,
278
Fortune, 25, 51, 110, 335 n., 522, 549, 550,
556, 558
Fortunee, 47, 114, 243, 480, 552
Fothergill, Capt. William, 524 n.
Fothering a ship, 127, 128
Fotheringham, Capt. Patrick, 5, 7, 109
Foucaud, Capt., 494, 504
Fouchet, 480 n.
Foudre, 402 n., 404 and n., 556
I'uudroyant, 81-83, 100, 114, 154, 346,
347, 348, 349, 384 and n., 391, 393, 397,
418, 419, 420-422, 454 n., 456, 557
Fouc/ueux, 254, 255 and n., 262, 298 n.,
301
Fouine, 556
Foul Point, Madagascar, 296, 472
Fowell, Com. Samuel, 551
Fowey, 4, 32, 75, 111
Fowke, R.-Ad. George, 551
Fowler, R.-Ad. Robert Merrick, 570
Fox, Capt. William, 111
Fox, 5, 6, 7, 20, 97, 109, 110, 113, 115, 269
n., 309 n., 321, 322, 405, 406, 509, 549,
550, 555
Fradin, Capt. J. B. A., 498
France, 198, 241, etc.
France, Omission from the Royal Ensign of
the Arms of, 190
Franchise, 343, 351, 532 and n.
Frankland (previnusly Cromwell), V.-Ad.
Henry Cromwell, 195
592
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Franklin, 154, 357, 363, 364, 365, 366,
367, 370, 372, 555
Franklin, Capt. Sir John, 568, 569, 570
Eraser, Capt. Percy, 380, 549
Fraternite, 255 n., 298 and n., 299, 300 and
n., 301, 302
Frazer, (Mar.), Lieut. George, 335
Frederick, R.-Ad. Thomas Lenox, 57, 91,
109, 110, 194, 203 n., 269 n., 273, 309 n.,
382 n., 384 n., 548
Frederick William II. of Prussia, 102
Frederiks, Lieut., 326
Freedom, 555
Freeman, Admiral of the Fleet W. P. \V. :
see WiJliams, William Peere
Freight- money, 166, 167
Freja, 426, 427
Frejus, 276, 405
Frelon, 24
Fremantle, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas Francis,
203 n., 269 n., 270, 285, 321, 322, 324,
430, 433, 437, 496, 553, 554
Frenay Bay, 492
French agents in England, 167 n.
Fiench losses, 1778-83, 114, 115
Friant, General Louis, 455
Friendly Island*, 104, 131, 133, 138
Friendship, 551, 565 n.
Frigates, Nelson's lack of, 354, 391
Frindsbury, 154
Friponne, 69, 85, 111, 277, 291
Frodsham, Capt. John, 79, 83, 96, 109, 112
Fryer, Master John, 102, 103, 10 i
Fuengirola, 534
Fulminante, 551, 550
Funchal, 470
Furet, 519
Furie, 516, 517, 559
Furieuse, 558
Furnace, 341 n.
Furneaux, Capt. Tobias, 109, 129-131, 137
and n., 138
Fury, 51, 197 n., 203 n., 454 n., 455, 554
Fusi-yama, 563
Fyers (mil.), Capt. Peter, 428 and n.
Fyffe, Capt. John, 415, 454 n.
GADSHII.L, 186
Gaeta, 399 and n.
Gage, Genernl Thomas, 3
Gage, Admiral of the Fleet Sir William
Hall, 351, 426 n., 539, 540, 560
Gaillard, ('apt., 476
Oaite, 507, 555
Galapagos Islands, 148
Galatea, 28, 51, 266 n., 487, 495, 502, 555
Galatee, 226, 326, 410, 486, 548, 553, 559
Galgo, 528, 560, 561
Gallardo, 333 n., 560
Galleons, 45
Galles, V.-Ad. Morard de, 200, 201, 215,
297, 298 and n., 300, 301, 302, 305, 306
Galleys, 32, 374, 375, 417
I Galley slaves, 209, 417, 510
I Gallipoli, 558
Galloway, Admiral George Stewart, Lord
Garlics, Earl of, 247 and n., 248, 279,
309 n., 490 n.
Galwey, R.-Ad. Edward, 369 n.
Gambia, River, 58
Gambler, Admiral of the Fleet James (2),
Lord, 48, 109, 182 and n., 193, 202, 226
Gambler, Capt. Samuel, 151
Gamo, 538, 539, 544 n., 561
Ganges, 202, 237 n., 293, 430, 433, 436 n.,.
438, 439, 553
Ganteaume, V.-Ad. Honore, 225, 226, 278,
339, 357, 3t>6 n., 376 and n., 404, 447
and n., 448, 449, 450, 452, 453, 454, 455,.
458, 459 n., 551
Gardiner, Lieut. John, 27, 110
Gardner, Admiral Sir Alan, Lord, 22, 145,.
169, 182, 192, 213, 226, 227, 239, 260 n.,
265, 387 n., 388, 413, 414
Gardner, V.-Ad. the Hon. Alan Hyde, Lord,
282, 294
Gardner, Capt. the Hon. Francis Farrington,
293
Garland, 535, 549, 557
Garlics, Lord : see. Galloway, Earl of
Garonne, River, 556
Garrett, V.-Ad. Henry, 342
Gaspard, Capt. M. M. P., 523
Gaspargrande Island, 333, 334
Gaaparin, 204 n., 226
Gassin, Capt., 226
Gaudran, Enseigne Blaise, 376
Gay, Capt., 480
Gayton, V.-Ad. George, 48, 62, 111, 192
Geary, Admiral Sir Francis, 191
Gelderland, 410, 559
Gclijkheid, 326, 329 n., 330, 559
Gell, Admiral John, 25, 192, 202, 203 n.,
206, 207, 552
General Bnme, 558
General Leveau, 555
General Monk, 80, 98, 100, 112, 113
General Moitltrie, 113
Generals of Marines, 181, 101
Genereux, 204 n., 357, 368 and n., 373,
375, 418 (2), 419, 422, 449, 452, 453, 514,
515, 516, 550, 557 (2)
Genie, 285, 554
Genoa, 207, 213, 270, 274, 277, 284, 324,.
353, 354, 385, 386, 396, 416, 417, 418,
494, 513, 552, 553, 556, 557
Gentili, General, 288
Gentille, 30, 51 and n., 62, 226, 491, 553
George II., King, 181
George IH., Kin-, 131, 198, 239, 245, 350
n., 413, 426, 471, 487
George 111. Island, now Tahiti, 120, 125,
161
George, Prince of Wales (later George IV.),
131
George, 549
1NDEK TO VOLUME IV.
593
George and Molly, 63
George, Capt. Sir Rupert, 40, 71, 152,
198 n.
George River, 566
Germaine, 32, 111
Germany (see also Austria, etc.), 444
Gerner, 431 n.
Ghee, 105
Gibb, Lieut. John, 212
Gibbons, Midshipman William, 464
Gibraltar, 25, 67, 73, 111, 115, 152, 244,
245, 273, 278, 282, 286, 287, 288, 289,
304, 307, 324, 351, 352 and n., 356 n.,
372, 374, 381, 382 and n., 383, 386, 387,
388 n., 390, 424 n., 425, 448, 449, 454,
459, 464, 465-470, 471, 528, 529, 537,
539, 548, 558, 561
Gibraltar, 111, 115, 143, 226, 231, 232, 274
and n., 289, 290, 305, 384 n., 424 n.,
449, 450, 452, 561
Gibson, Capt. John (2), 110
Gibson, Lieut. John (1), 269 n., 309 n., 320,
322, 324, 549
Gibson, Lieut. William, 417
Gidoin, V.-Ad. John Lewis, 89, 192
Gier, 524, 558, 559
Gilbert, Lieut. Thomas, 341 n., 531 n.
Gilet, Capt, M., 357
Gilmore, Boatswain Andrew, 369
Gipsy, 557
Gironde River, 344, 502, 509, 517
Gladiator, 159
Glasgow, 3, 4, 10
Glatton, 283, 294, 408 n., 410, 430, 433,
438, 439, 442, 501 and n., 544
Glenan Islands, 414
Glenmore, 529
Gloire, 87, 89, 111, 112, 491, 553
Glorieux, 72, 87, 88, 112, 114
Glorioso, 309 n.
Glory, 168 n., 180, 223, 226, 228, 236, 240,
387 n.
Godfrey, Capt. William, 411
Goeland, 214 and n., 529 n., 552
Gold chains of honour, 183, 239
Gold Coast, 24, 69, 79
Golden Grove, 565 n.
Goldesbrough, Capt. Thomas, 110
Goldfinch, Lieut. William, 439
Goliath, 309 n., 311, 320, 357, 361, 362,
364, 368, 369 and n., 373, 376, 390, 556
Golondrina, 560
Gonave Bay, 27
Gooch, Com. Samuel, 524
Gooch, the astronomer, Mr. William, 146
Goodall, Admiral Samuel Granston, 00, 108,
191, 197 n., 203 and n., 206, 269 n., 272
n., 274 n.
Goodench, Midshipman James, 317
Goodwin Sands, 550
Gordon (mil.), Capt., 451 n.
Gore, Capt. John (1), 138 and n., 143, 269
n., 274 n., 278, 548
VOL. IV.
Gore, V.-Ad. Sir John (2), 210, 245, 246,
445, 525, 556, 557
Gore, Com. .T- — - Hamilton, 109
Gore, Midshipman William, 446 n.
Goree, 472
Gorgon, 203 n.
Gormer, Mr. , R.N., 550
Gosier Bay, Guadeloupe, 248, 249
Gosselin, Admiral Thomas Le Marchant,
226, 255 n., 412
Gosset, Lieut. Abraham, 495
Gott, Lieut. Thomas, 549
Gould, Admiral Sir Davidge, 269 n., 274 n.,
357, 390, 416, 418
Gourdon, Capt. A. L., 447 n.
Gourjean Bay, 246, 270
Gourly, Capt. John, 320, 549
| Gourrege, Capt, P. P., 447 n.
Gower, R.-Ad. Edward Leveson, 451, 549,
558
Gower, Admiral Sir Erasmus, 94, 115, 175,
194, 255 n.
Gower, R.-Ad. Hon. John Leveson, 108
Goyanne, Guadeloupe, 250
Gozo, 353, 355, 374, 419, 471
Grame, Admiral Alexander, 46, 115, 193,
379, 413
Gra;me, Capt. Lawrence, 63, 77, 112
Grafton, 57
Grain, Isle of, 174
Grampus, 109, 174, 175 n., 176, 550
Grana, 62, 99, 115
j Granatello, 397
Grand Cayman, 548
Grand Sarpedon, 83 n.
Grand Stevenet, 299
Grande Terre, Guadeloupe, 248, 249, 250
Granger, V.-Ad. William, 525
Grant, Com. Gregory, 321
Grasse, V.-Ad. Comte de, 72, 74, 75, 110,
111
Grasse-Briancon, Capt. the Marquis de, 95
Grave, Master William, 464
Graves, Capt. Samuel (2), 95, 115
Graves, Admiral Thomas (2), Lord, 75, 86,
88, 112, 182 and n., 191, 198, 226, 228,
230, 239
Graves, Admiral Sir Thomas (3), 3, 91, 195,
291, 427, 428, 429, 430, 435, 436, 443
Gravesend, 173, 175
I Graviere, Capt. D. Jurien de La, 532
Gravina, R.-Ad., 206, 207
Gray, Lieut. George, 439
Great Belt, 443 n.
Great Yarmouth Hospital, 187
'< Green, the astronomer, Mr. Charles, 124,
125, 129
Greenock, 558
Greenwich Hospital, 170, 191
Gregory, R.-Ad. George, 197 n., 214, 251,
326
Grenada, 110, 280, 293, 494, 560
Grenades, Hand, 37
2 Q
504
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Grey, General Sir Charles, 173, 246, 249,
250
Grey, Com. Edward, 557
Grey, Capt. the Hon. Sir George (1), 247 n.,
309 n., 491, 548
Grey, Com. Hon. Henry, 550
Greyhound, 28, 111
Grey town, 49
Greytown, Nicaragua, 49
Grieg, Russian Navy Capt. (later Admiral),
408 n.
Grievances of the seamen in 1797, 109,
170
Griffith: see Colpoys, Sir Edward Griffith
Griffiths, R.-Ad. Anselm John, 309 n.
Grimouard, Capt. de, CO, 89
Grindall, V.-Ad. Sir Richard, 260 n., 264,
414, 553
Groix, Isle, 256, 260 n., 262, 263, 264, 272,
415, 553
Groningen, 559
Grouchy, General, 298, 301
Growler, 549
Guadalquiver, River, 4GO
Guadulupe, 560
Guadeloupe, 47, 248-250, 280, 488, 501,
509, 535, 553, 555, 557
GuadeloupeoT Guadalonpe, 72, 75, 111, 553
Guardian, 106, 107, 436 n.
Guardships at the ports, 102, 372
Guipe, 25, 62
Guerin, Com. Daniel, 293, 549
Guerin, quoted, 215 n., 350 n., 360
Guernsey, 100, 109, 414, 485. 551
Guerrier, 204 n., 357, 358, 361, 362, 364,
372, 373 n., 382 n , 556 (2)
Guiana, 77, 523
Guiana, Dutch, 413
Guiana, Portuguese, 470 n.
Guichen, V.-Ad. de, 82 n.
Guieysse, Capt. P., 541
Guillaume Tell, 357, 368 and n., 370, 374,
419, 420-422, 557
Guillotin, Capt. J. L., 343
Guine, Enseigne J. F., 507, 503
Guion, Capt. Daniel Oliver. 454 n., 455
Guion, Capt. Gardiner Henry, 550
Guisborough, Yorks, 123
Guiscardo, 207, 274 n.
Gunboats, French, 338, 339, 342, 343, 357,
359, 375, 389, 401, 405, 417, 522, 554
Gun-locks, 188
Gunners, 156, 188, 416 n.
Gunnery, 542, 543, 544
Guns, 439
Gunter, Com. Henry, 550
Gurupano, 517
Gutteri, Govr. Don Juan Antonio, 323 n.
Haarlem, 26, 27, 110, 326, 328, 329 n., 390,
417, 449, 559
Haasje, 326
Hacker, U.S.N., Capt., 26, 113
Haggitt, Com. William, 278, 340, 550
IIa<iue, 80
Haien, 431 n., 561
Haifa, or Caifl'a, 402
Hales, Lieut. H , 326
Half-pay, 157, 158
Halgan, Capt., 525
j Halifax, 66, 88, 152, 213, 291, 335, 549
Halifax, 61, 113 n., 197, 198 n.
Halkett, Admiral Sir Peter, 326, 550, 561
Hall, privateersman, T., 76
Hallett, Midshipman John, 102
Halley's chart, 118
Hallovvell : see Carew, Sir Benjamin Hallo-
well
Halsted, Admiral Sir Lawrence William,
237 n., 451, 498, 557, 558
Hamadryad, 324, 507, 550, 560
Hamilton, Admiral Sir Charles, 203 n., 351,
408 n., 512, 535
Hamilton, Admiral Charles Powell, 194,
241, 260 n.
Hamilton, Admiral Sir Edward, 159, 183,
276 n., 527, 528, 561
Hamilton, Lieut. J , 326, 551
Hamilton, Sir William, 355, 393, 394, 395,
396, 397, 419, 420 n.
Hamilton, Lady, 355, 393, 398, 399, 419,
442 n.
Hamilton, of H.E.I.Co.'s service, John, 532
Hamline, Lieut. Daniel, 550
Hammond's Knowl, 427 n.
Hamoaze, 549
Hamon, Capt., 536
Hamond, Capt. Sir Andrew Snapc (1), 48,
49, 150, 151
Hamond, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Graham
Eden, 428, 430
Hampden, 29
Hampton Roads, 26
Hamstead, Capt. John, 333 n.
: Hancock, 5 and n., 6, 7, 109, 113
' Hand, Capt, Thomas, 341 n., 454 n.
Hannibal, 76, 77, 112, 114, 460, 461, 462,
463-465, 466 n., 491, 551, 553
Hannover, Arms of, 189, 190
Hanson, Com. James, 147 n., 550
Hanwell, Admiral Joseph, 203 n.
Harding, Seaman James, 376
Harding, U.S.N., Captain Seth, 63, 113
Hardy, Admiral Sir Charles (2), 29
Hardy, Capt, John Oakes, 454 n.
Hardy, Capt. Temple, 280 n., 281
Hardy, General, 344
Hardy, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas Masterman, 321
n., 354, 357, 372, 390, 391, 431 and n.,
432 and n., 433, 505, 555
Hardyman, R.-Ad. Lucius Ferdinand, 551
| Hare, Capt. Charles, 209, 210, 548
I Hargood, Admiral Sir William (1), 198 n.,
476, 548
Harlingen, 524
Harlinyen, 294 n., 558
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
595
Harmonic, 334
Hal-mood, Capt. Harry, 109, 151, 152
Harpy, 341 n., 342, 430, 529, 530, 557
Harrier, 93, 341 n.
Harriett*, 555
Harrington, Lieutenant William, 418, 419,
420
Harrison, the chronometer maker, Mr., 124
Hart, K.-Acl. George, 408 n., 550
Hartingveld, Lieut, 326
Hartwell, Capt. Sir Francis John, 11-4, 151,
152, 174
Harvey, Admiral Sir Eliab, 247 and n., 486
Harvey, Capt. John (1), 226, 228, 232, 233 '
Harvey, Admiral Sir John (2), 333 n., 548
Harvey, Admiral Sir Henry (1), 193, 226,
233, 260 n., 267, 293, 333 and n., 334,
335, 379, 447, 560
Harvey, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas, 412
Harward, Com. John, 391
Harwich, 4, 173
Hasard, 278, 480
Hasborough Sand, 551
Hascombe, 186
Haslar Hospital, 187
Hassan Bey, 404
Hassard, Lieut. 11 F , 1 12
Hasty, 560
Haswell, Lieut. , 550
Hatherill, Captain Richard, 430
Hauch, 439 and n.
Haughty, 179 n.
Hauraki Gulf, 126
Havana, 87, 112, 165, 528, 551, 561
Havick, 559
Havik, 154, 295 n., 551. 559
Havre, Le, 338, 340, 343, 49(5, 555
Hawaii, 140, 148, 563
Hawke, Admiral of the Fleet Edward, Lord,
266
Hawke, or Hawk, 5, 47 n., 88
Hawker, Capt. James, 16, 52, 109
Hawker, Com. Thomas (2), 272
Hawkins, James : sen Whitshed, Admiral of
the Fleet Sir James Hawkins
Hawkins, Capt. Richard, 369 and n.
Hayes, Capt. George, 549
Hayes, H.E.I. Co.'s S., Capt., 471
Haygarth, Lieut. William, 158
Hayti, 27, 84, 115 : see aJso San Domingo
Hayward, Com. Thomas, 102, 549
Hazard, 113, 513, 556
Head money for ships carrying cargo, 163
Head monev, Surgeons', 158
Hebe, 454 n., 492, 553
Hebe, 86, 115, 341 n.
Hecate, 154
Hecla, 341 n., 342, 430
Hector, 14, 57, 58, 87, 88, 112, 114, 154,
213, 237 n., 384 n., 409, 449, 452, 559
Heiberg (Dutch Navy), Lieut., 330 n.
Eeigham, Lieut. George, 223, 224
Helder, The, 409, 411
Heldin, 326, 409, 559
Helena, 27 n., 73, 109, 198 n., 549, 559 (2)
Helens, 27, 114
Heliopolis, 452
Heliopolis, 423
Hell Gate, New York, 110
Helsingor (Elsinore), 428 and n., 429
Helsingborg, 429
Hennah, Capt. William, 557
Henry (French Navy), Capt. J. B., 298 n.
Henry, Admiral John, 13, 32 and n., 193,
247 n., 251
Henslow, Sir John, 151, 154
Herbert, Capt. the Hon. Charles (1), 198 n.,
247 n., 345, 346, 414, 424, 522
Hercule, 280, 33tj and n , 337, 361 n., 555
Hercules, 326, 329 and n., 330, 559
Hergest, Lieut. Richard, 146 n.
Hermes, 549, 558
Hermione, 52, 71, 72, 159, 179, 183, 197 n.,
251, 334 and n., 527, 528, 549, 554, 561
Hero, 213
Heroine, 282, 294, 454 n.
Hews, ft, 203 n., 210, 552
Hen-era, Capt. Don J., 466 n.
Herring Cove, 335
Hervey, Hon. Augustus John : see Bristol,
Earl of
Hervey, Capt. John Augustus, Lord, 110
Heureux, 154, 204 n., 357, 359, 362 n., 368,
372, 556, 558
Hey wood, Capt. Peter, 102, 104 n., 105,
106
Hicks, R.-Ad. Thomas, 109, 195
Hill, the privateersman, 88
Hill, Capt. Benjamin, 109
Hill, V.-Ad. Henry, 210
Hill, R.-Ad. Sir John (2), 454 n.
Hill, Capt. Richard, 111
Hills, Capt. John, 197 n., 251
Hills, Lieut. , 109
Hillyar, R.-Ad. Sir James, 454 n., 455, 456,
457,533, 561
Hinchinbroke, 49, 109, 112
Hind, 213, 482, 561
Hindman, Lieut. Michael, 110
Hinman, U.S.N., Capt. Elisha, 10, 113
Hiuton, Lieut. John, 277
Hinxt, Capt., 326
Hirondelle, 13, 72, 492, 556 (2)
Hispaniola : see San Domingo and Hayti
Hjmlperen, 431 n., 437
Hoar, Thomas : see Bertie, Sir Thomas
Hoar
Hoare, Midshipman George, 439
Hoat, or Houat, Isle of, 266, 415, 266, 415
ffobart, 282, 553
Hoche, General, 266, 296, 297, 298 n., 302,
344 n.
Hoche, 344 ari n., 346, 347 and n., 348,
556
Hodder, Caj ,. Edward, 430
Hodges, th- artist, Mr., 129
2 Q 2
596
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Hoedic, Isle of, 266, 522
Holdernesse, 110
Holkenderdyb, Copenhagen, 429 and n., 431
432, 440
Holland, 57, 102, 173, 199, 279, 280, 296,
405, 407-412, 470, 472, 549, 550, 559,
560
Holland, Com. A., 326
Ilollandia, 116
Hollingsworth, Lieut. John, 549
Hollis, V.-Ad. Aiskew Paffbrd, 460, 466 n.
Holloway, Admiral John, 194, 203 u., 246,
269 n., 274 n.
Holloway, Lieut. Richard, 210
Holsteen, 431 n., 433 n., 437, 440, 561
Holyhead, 549
Home, R.-Ad. Sir George, 194
Home, R.-Ad. Roddam, 51, 52, 114, 194,
293, 351
Honduras, British, 44
Honduras, Gulf of, 45, 378, 549
Honolulu, 145
Honors, 83 n.
Honyman, Admiral Robert, 272
Hood, Admiral Sir Alexander Arthur: see
Brklport, Lord
Hood, Capt. Alexander, 336, 337 and n.,
555
Hood, Admiral Sir Samuel (1), Viscount,
106, 108, 114, 166, 167, 191, 198, 202-
213, 243-246, 286, 552, 553
Hood, V.-Ad. Sir Samuel (2), 203 n., 243,
279, 322, 323, 357, 360, 361 and n., 373,
375, 376, 377, 390, 401, 424, 4(0,466 n.,
468, 482, 556
Hood, Midshipman , 132
Hood's Island, 132
Hoogcarspel, 70, 71
Hope, Capt. Charles (1), 151
Hope, R.-Ad. Sir George (1), 197 n., 203 n.,
269 n., 373 n., 391, 556
Hope, Lieut. J , 247 n.
Hope, V.-A. Sir William Johnstone, 226,
408, 454 n.
Hope, 110, 111 (2), 281, 295 n., 549
Hopkins (Mar.), Capt. John, 369
Hopkins, U.S.N., Commod. Esek, 4 and n.
Hornet, 154
Hornsey, Com. John, 321
Horton, R.-Ad. Joshua Sydney, 529
Hospital ships, 216, 260 n.
Hospitals, Royal Naval, 159, 187
Hoste, Capt. Sir William, 391
Hotham, V.-Ad. the Hon. Sir Henry, 245
Hotham, Admiral William (1), Lord, 17,
107, 108, 166, 167, 182 and n., 191, 202,
203 n., 246, 267-279, 283, 553
Hotham, Admiral Sir William (2), 274 n.,
279, 326, 340
Houat : see Hoat
Houghton, 483 n.
Hound, 198 n., 349 n., 486, 548, 551
Howe, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Richard,
Earl, 17, 106, 107, 168, 171, 172, 181,
182, 183, 191, 198, 200-202, 216-239,
241, 254, 260, 304, 485, 553
Howe, Capt. Tyringham, 4
Howitzer boats, 445, 558
Huaheine, 131, 139
Hubert, Capt., 276
Hudson, Capt. Charles, 48, 75, 109, 111
Hudson, River, 26, 113
Hudson's Bay, 84, 85, 137, 139
Huessen, Graaf van : see De Winter
Huggett, Lieut. William, 549
Hughes, Admiral Sir Edward, 58, 76, 85,
95 n., 112, 191, 198
Hughes, Admiral Sir Richard (3), 90, 115,
191
Hugues, Victor, 249, 250, 280
Huguet, Capt., 226
Huis, Capt. J., 326, 410
Hullin, Capt., 508
Humber, River, 35
Humbert, General, 298, 302, 343, 344, 345,
346, 351
Hunt, Capt. Anthony (1), 2
Hunt, Capt. Anthony (2), 203 n., 245, 266
n., 496, 548
Hunt, Mr. Edward, 151
Hunter, Mr. Joseph, 152
Hunter, V.-Ad. John, 564, 565 and n., 567
Hunter, 3, 29, 549
Huntingdon Bay, 26
Hurricanes : see Storms
Hussar, 13, 46, 92 n., 93 and n., 110, 113 n.,
115, 154, 198 n., 41)2, 549, 553
Hussard, 53, 114, 413, 556
Hutchinson, Major-General Sir John Hely,
455
Hutt, Capt. Johu, 111, 213, 224, 226
Hvcen, 429, 431
Hyssna, 198 n., 476, 548
Hyder Ali, 58
Hyder Ali, 80, 112
Hydra, 340, 342, 343, 555
Hydrographical Office, The, 152, 186, 187
Hyene, 508
Hyeres, 243, 273, 274, 352, 356 n., 499,
548, 553, 554
IBBETSON, Mr. John, 150
Ice, 84, 106, 130, 131, 132, 134, 136, 137,
139, 143, 279 n., 441 and n., 519
Icy Cape, 139
Illustrious, 203 n., 269 n., 271, 272, 273, 548
Imbert, Capt. Baron d', 205
Immortalite, 154, 298 n., 301, 344, 346,
347, 349, 350 and n., 536, 556
Impatiente, 298 n., 304 n., 555
Impfrieuse, 213, 244, 552
Impetueux, 168 n., 201 n., 226, 280, 231,
387 n., 414, 415, 424, 548, 553 (2), 555,
557 (2)
Impregnable, 226, 228, 231, 482, 550
Impressment, 13, 100, 156, 186, 188
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
597
Improvements in the Navy, 187
Inagua, 551
Incendiary. 110, 226, 260 n., 448, 551,
555
Incendiary projectiles, 377
Incledon, Richard (1) : see Bury, V.-Ad.
Richard Incledon
Inconnue, 216, 218, 485, 553
Inconstant, 203 n., 269 n., 270, 272, 277,
279, 285, 415, 454 n., 496 and n., 548,
552, 553, 554
Inconstante, 481, 482, 552
Incorruptible, 501, 531
Indefatigable, 299, 302, 303, 388 n., 424,
496, 497 and n., 508 and n., 513, 534,
545, 554, 555 (2), 556, 557
Independant, 404
Independence, 113
India : see East Indies
Indian Ocean, 77, 520
Indienne, 465, 466 n.
Indivisible, 447 n., 448, 452, 453
Indomptable, 223, 225, 298 n., 301 and n.,
447 n., 450, 459, 462, 463 and n., 466 n.
Infanta Amalia, 560
Inflexible, 174 n.
Infodstretten, 431 n., 437, 561
Inglefield, Capt. John Nicholson, 88, 112,
152, 203 n.
Inglis, Capt. Charles (2), 454 n.
Inglis, R.-Ad. Charles (1), 94
Inglis, R.-Ad. John (1), 61
Inglis, V.-Ad. John (2), 58, 109, 114, 195,
326
Innian, Capt. Henry, 200, 336, 430
Innes, Lieut. Thomas (3), 464
Insurgente, 201 u., 255 n.
Insolente, 415, 557
Inspector, 174 and n., 247 n.
International Law, 165, 166
Intrepid, 203 n., 553, 554
Intrepide, 114
Invasion, Threats of, of England, 296 ; of
Ireland, 298-304, 305 ; of England, 305,
338-351, 444-446
Investigator, 568, 569, 571
Invincible, 50, 94, 112, 222, 226, 231 and
n., 333 n., 412, 427 n., 551
Ionian Islands, 324, 390, 471
Iphifjenia, 251, 293, 454 n., 481, 482, 551,
552 (3)
Iphigenie, 16, 22, 51 and n., 77, 109, 525
and n., 553, 556
Ireland, 13, 35, 188, 189, 282, 296, 297-30i,
305, 336, 343-351, 354, 380, 381, 388,
506, 525, 548, 550, 554, 555, 556, 558
Ireland, Lieut. Thomas, 228
Iris, 1, 51, 52 and n., 72, 73, 75, 111, 113
and n., 174 n., 175, 209 and n., 431 n.,
475, 476, 552
Irish Sea, The, 11
Irishmen in the Navy, 59 n.
Irresistible, 247 n., 251, 260 n., 261, 262,
264, 304 n., 307, 309 n., 311, 314, 316
and n., 317, 497, 507, 560 (2)
Irwin, Com. George, 549
Irwin, Capt. John, 309 n.
Irwin, Lieut. Thomas, 369
Ischia, 390
his, 17, 18, 31 n., 59 and n., 99, 100, 162,
163, 174 n., 203 n., 326, 403 n., 410,
429, 430, 433, 438, 439, 440, 493, 558,
560
Islot a Cochon, Guadeloupe, 248
Italy (see also Tuscany, Naples, Sardinia,
Sicily, etc.), 287, 288, 375, 391, 396, 399,
405, 542
Jack, 71 and n., 72, 97
Jackal, 46, 76, 80, 89 n., 100, 110, 112
Jackson, V.-Ad. Robert, 454 n.
Jackson, R.-Ad. Samuel, 416, 470
Jackson, Com. William, 70, 111
Jacob, Capt. L. L., 344
Jacobin, 226, 227, 230, 231, 232, 254, 553
Jacobs, Capt. Maximilian, 48, 110
Jacobson, Com., 326
Jacon, Capt. Don Miguel, 78
Jaffa, 385, 402
Jaffnapatam, 282
Jal, M., cited, 236 n.
Jalouse, 555
Jamaica, station and island, 31, 86, 110,
m, 112, 179, 197 and n., 214, 289, 293,
294, 334, 335, 379, 414, 528, 552
Jamaica, 27, 430, 432, 434, 446 and n.,
547, 548, 554, 561
James, Capt. Bartholomew, 373 n.
James, the historian, quoted, 259, 265, 276,
295, 311, 313, 314, 318, 328 n., 330, 331,
337, 346, 352, 372, 384 and n., 410, 411,
428, 438, 440, 449, 479, 499
James I&laud, Charleston, 48, 49
James River, 61
Janissary, 454 n., 455
Janus, 154, 558
Janvrin, Capt. Richard Gaire, 459, 460
Japan, 143, 562, 563, 564
Jardine, Com. George, 369 n.
Jardines, The, 551
Jason, 2, 87, 88, 114, 267, 304 n., 336 and
n., 508, 510, 511, 550, 551, 555 (2), 558
Java, 506
Jean Bart, 201 n., 216, 241, 255 u., 262,
447 n., 452, 453, 487, 488, 491, 553 (2)
Jean Rabel, San Domingo, 334, 335
Jeans, Lieut. John, 369
Jeddah, 551
Jemmapes, 226, 227, 234, 255
Jenkins, Capt. Henry, 517-519, 550
Jennings, Capt. Ulick, 331
Jephcott (Mar.), Lieut. William, 264
Jeremie, 214, 250
Jersey, 25, 60, 100, 492, 551
Jersey, 57
Jervis, Sir John : see St. Vincent, Ear)
598
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Jervis {formerly Ricketts), Capt. William
Henry Ricketts, 335, 554
Johnson, Lieut. David, 331
Johnson, Lieut. Edmund, 430, 439
Johnson, Com. Joshua, 439
Johnston, U.S.N., Capt. H., 8, 113
Johnstone', Capt. George, 46 and 11., TO, 77,
162
Johnstone, Com. James (1), 111
Johnstone, Capt. James (2), 146 and n.
Johnstone's Strait, 146
Joliff, Capt., 520
Jolliffe, Lieut. George, 369
Jones, Capt. Hon. Charles (1): see Ranelagh,
Viscount
Jones, Capt. James, 4, 7, 109, 110
Jones, U.S.N., Capt. John Paul, 10 and n.,
11, 12, 13, 33-39, 98, 110, 113
Jones, Capt. Richard (1), 369 n., 445
Jordan, Capt. Don J., 333 n.
Joyner (S. Car. Navy), Capt. ,1)3
Juan de Fuca Strait, 146, 147, 563
Juan Fernandez Island, 121, 122
Jump, Lieut. Robert, 448, 551
Juno, 3, 109, 203 n., 243, 278, 408 n., 482,
498, 559
Junon, 16, 20, 30, 57, 109, 110, 114, 278,
375, 385, 386 n., 400, 556
Jupiter, 21 and n., 22, 26, 27 n., 50, 114,
200 n., 202 n., 255, 277, 286, 295 n., 326,
328, 329 and n., 330, 525 and n., 559
Juste, 226, 231 and n., 449, 553
Justice, 276, 278, 357, 368 and n., 374, 422,
455, 458, 558
Justine, 298 n., 304 n., 555
Jylland, 431 n., 561
KAMEHAMEHA I., 147, 148, 563
Kamperduin (Camperdown), 327, 329
Kamschatka, 142
Kangaroo, 349 and n., 350, 539, 556, 561
Kangaroo, Discovery of the, 128
Karakakoa Bay, 140, 147, 148, 563
Karlskrona, 441, 442
Kauai Island, 139, 145, 147, 563
Keats, Admiral Sir Richard Goodwin, 266
n., 345, 389 n., 460, 466 n., 467, 487,
495, 502, 557
Keener, Lieut. George, 331
Keith, Admiral the Hon. George Keith
Elphinstone, Viscount, 48, 60, 89, 115,
116, 173, 192, 203 n., 206, 207, 210, 280
n.. 281, 295 and n., 296, 379, 381-387.
391 n., 400, 414, 415, 416, 418, 419, 423
and n., 424, 425, 448 and n., 452, 454
and n., 455-458, 550, 558, 559
Kelly, Com. William (2), 451
Kelly, V.-Ad. William Hancock, 247 and
n., 424 n., 449
Kelly, Lieut. , 111
Kernel, Capt., 466 n.
Kempe, Admiral Arthur, 194
Kempenfelt, R.-Ad. Richard, 112
Kemphaan, 559
Kempthorne, V.-Ad. James, 89, 90, 195
Kent, 3, 408, 452, 454 n., 533, 534
Kent, Lieut. Henry (1), 560
Kent, Lieut. William Prosser, 180 n.
Kentish Knock, The, 112
Kenyon, Lord, 162
Keppel, 32
Keppel, Admiral the Hon. Augustus, Vis-
count, 14, 16, 95 n., 114, 182
Keppel, Admiral George, 57, 193
Keppel, Capt. George Augustus, 111
Keranguen, Capt. Bertrand, 226
Kerdauneh, River, 402
Kergariou-Coatles, Capt. Chev. de, 53, 54
Kergoualer, Lieut. Du Couedic de, 40-43
Kerguelen, R.-Ad. Y. J., 256, 263
Kerguelen Island, 138
Kerr, V.-Ad. Lord Mark Robert, 377 n.,
560
Kerry, Coast of, 35
Kersaint, Capt. de, 77
Kew, 131
Key Bokell, Honduras, 548
Key Chapel, 379
Kilcummin Head, 343
Killala Bay, 344, 346
King, Admiral Sir Richard (1), 108, 191,
198 and n., 336, 379
King, Capt. Andrew, 430, 439
King, Capt. James, 94, 95, 115, 138 and
n., 140, 142, 143, 562
King, V.-Ad. Sir Richard King (2), 516,
559
King, a seaman, 181
King George, 27 and n., 251, 326
King George's Sound, 145, 568
Kingfisher, 29, 109, 226, 255 n., 256, 550
Kingsale, 549
Kingsmill (formerly Brice), Admiral Sir
Robert Brice, 192, 302 n., 335, 379,
413
Kintyre, 100
Kirchner, Lieut. John G , 369
Kite, 341 n., 342, 443, 558
Kittoe, Com. William Hugh, 548
Kjoge Bay, 442
Kleber, General, 353, 404, 406, 407, 423
and n., 424 and n.
Knell, Capt. William, 24, 114
Knight, Admiral Sir John (2), 3, 109, 195,
203 n., 274 n., 326, 385
Knowles, Admiral Sir Charles Henry, 54,
194, 309 n.
Knowles, R.-Ad. John, 194
Kolff, Capt. D. H., 326, 410
Komeet, 558
Kongedyb, Copenhagen, 430, 431
Kosseir, 405, 406, 457
Kowrowa, 140
Krabbe (Dan. Navy), Capt., 426 and n.
Krafft, Capt. J. W., 326
Kronborg, 429
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
599
Kronborg, 431 n., 439, 561
Kueleu, the cartographer, Van, 564
Kuikduin, 40?
Kurile Islands, 5(53
LA BASTAKD, Lieut. J. M. P., 344
La Bourdonnais, Capt., 494
Labrador, 291
Lacedemonian, 549
La Clocheterie, Capt. Louis Chadeau de, 14
and n., 15
Lacouture, Captain M. A., 344
Lacroix, Captain, 536
La Crosse, B.-Ad. J. R., 298 n., 302, 303,
339
Lady Jane, 550
Lady Nelson, 568, 569
Lady Penrfiyn, 565 n.
La Fargue. Capt., 298 n.
Laforey, Admiral Sir Francis, 161, 197 n.,
291 i)., 340, 342, 485, 502, 553, 555
Laforey, Admiral Sir John, 191, 197 n.,
213, 291, 292
Lagos Bay, 319, 320
La Guayra, 179, 549
Lahaina, 563
La Hougue, 168, 339, 340, 5J8
Lake Madieh, 377
Lake Mareotis, 456, 457
Lalonde, Capt. Laindet, 459, 465
Lambert, Capt. Robert Alexander, 110
Lambert, V.-Ad. Robert Stuart, 281, 294 n.,
431
Lamentin, Guadeloupe, 250
La Motte-Piijuet, Admiral, 11, 27
Lamond, Mastsr Daniel, 439
Lamotte, the spy, 55 n.
Lancaster, 173, 175 and n., 326, 331
Lancester, Lieut. Th., 326
Landais, Capt., 33-35
Landolph, Capt. J. F., 532
Land's End, 553
Landsmen, 170
Lane, Capt. Diehard", 260 n., 293
Langan-Boisfevrier, Capt., 31
Langara, Admiral Don Juan de, 206, 208,
286, 287, 288, 289, 290, 305
Langford, Capt. Frederick, 440 n.
Langlois, Capt., 226
Langstone, 550
Languages, Importance to naval officers of
a knowledge of, 254 and n., 538, 539
Languedoc, 17, 204 n., 270 u.
Langueglia Bay, 277
La Perouse, Capt. J. F. de Galaup, Comte
de, 71, 84, 85
La Porte, Lieut., 513
Lapoype, General, 206
La Poype-Vertrieux, Capt. de, 17
LapwiiKj, 197 n., 412, 504, 554 (2)
Larcom, Capt. Thomas, 224 n., 260 n., 561
Lard as a cause of scurvy, 148
Lark, 109, 266 n., 293, 429
Lnrmour, Capt. John, 454 n., 455
Larnaca, 404
Laronier, Capt. P. 298 n.
Laroque, Capt. J. B. M., 506
Larreguy, Capt., 226
La Selva, 522
La Solidad, Falkland Islands, 2
Latona, 201, 202, 216, 226, 229, 23 \ 408 n.,
409, 410, 552
Latreyte, Capt., 509
Laugharne, ('apt. Morgan, 72, 111
Laughton, R.X., Prof. J. K., quoted, 10,
33 n., 36 n., 38 n., 1KO
Launches, Carronades for, 155, 178
Launder, Lieut. Philip William, 369
Laurel, 58, 111, 295 n., 553, 559
Laurette, 558
La Vendee, 296
La Villegris, Capt. G. J. N. de, 226
Lawford, Admiral Sir John, 166, 198 n.,
408 n., 430, 548
Lawson, Lieut. Hugh, 54, 111
Le mder, 79 and n., 87, 92 and n., 93, 99,
322, 324, 355, 357, 361, 363, 364, 365,
368, 369, 370 n., 372, 375, 390, 513-516,
544, 550, 556
Leave : see Liberty
Le Blair, privateersman, James, 557
Lebozec, Capt. P. M., 523
Lebrun, Charles Francois, 413
Lebrun, Capt. J. M., 298 n.
Lecale, V.-Ad. Lord Charles Fitzgerald,
later Lord, 110, 194, 255 n.
Le Cras, Capt. Edward, 3, 151
Leda, 203 n., 549, 552
Lee, Com. John, 524
Lee, Admiral Sir Richard, 1!'7 n., 551
Leef, Com. Thomas, 531 n., 550
Leeward Islands, 7, 197 and n., 291, 333,
334, 335, 379, 414, 547
Le Francq, Capt., 226
La/ere, 114, 376, 498, 500, 551, 554, 556,
557
Legge, Admiral the Hon. Sir Arthur Kaye,
226
Leghorn, 268, 273, 277, 279, 285, 288, 389,
415, 419, 450, 451 and n., 452, 458, 548,
550
Legion of Honour, 422
Legrand, Capt. J. F., 344, 350
Leij'len, 326, 328 n., 410, 559
Leith, 35, 100
Lejoille, Capt., 268 n., 357, 514, 515, 516
Lcjoille, 530
Le Maire, Strait of, 133
Lemmer, 412
Lemon juice, 128
Lennox, of H.E.I. C'o's. service, Charles,
506
Leobfii, 375
Leogane, 214, 293
Le Ray, Commod. Julieu, 226, 298 n.,
466 n.
600
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Leopard, 174 n., 175, 405, 457, 552
Les Irois, 335
Leslie, Captain Patrick, 68
Letters of marque and reprisals issued, 280
Lethbridge, Mr. Popham, quoted, 182 n.
Levant, The, 278, 288, 447
Levant, Isle du, 274
Levant, 4
Leveret, 57
Leviathan, 110, 203 n., 210, 220, 222, 223,
226, 227, 230, 293, 377 n., 384, 391, 519,
530, 531
Levrette, 484
Leurier, 528, 557
Lexington, 4, 8, 9, 10, 97, 98, 113
Leyden, 446 n.
L'Heritier, Capt. Louis, 226, 298 n., 337
L'flermitte, Capt. J. M. A., 226, 524, 529
Libby, Lieut. Edward, 317
LibertS, 204 n., 465, 466 n., 492, 552 (2),
553
Liberty and leave, 169, 172, 188
Liberty, 495, 554
Libu, Prince, 143
Licorne, 13, 14, 16, 53, 63 and n., 64, 110,
114 (2)
Lieutenants, 157, 158, 160, 161, 186, 187,
188, 332
Lieut.-Generals of Marines, 181, 191
Lights, 362
Ligondes, Capt. Comte de, 21
Liguria, 324, 339
Liguria, 513, 556
Ligurienne, 530, 557
Lijnx, 559
Lillicrap, Capt. James, 470
Linibi, 559
Limeno, 561
Lindesnes, or The Naze, 428 and n.
Lindholm, Adjutant-General, 437, 438
Lindsay, Capt. Sir Charles, 309 n., 319
Lindsay, R.-Ad. Sir John, 182
Lindsey, Capt.'s Clerk David, 464
Line, Breaking the, 223, 225, 228-236, 311,
327, 328
Line o1' battle, 36, 71, 226, 269, 309 n., 347,
483, 511
Linois, V.-Ad. C. A. L. Durand, Comte de,
262 n., 298 n., 447 n., 459-465, 466 and
n , 467, 469, 484, 495, 496, 539, 546, 551
Linzee, Capt. John, 112
Linzee, Admiral Kobert, 111, 192, 203 n.,
212 and n., 243, 246, 269 n., 274 n.
Linzee, V.-Ad. Samuel Hood, 536, 548
Lion, 22 and n., 72, 83 n., 89, 97 n., 137,
174 n., 177, 376, 377, 390, 418, 419, 420-
422, 511, 512, 556, 557, 560
Lions, Gulf of, 535
Lisbon, 46, 115, 152, 217, 237, 290, 305, 3 0,
335, 354, 379, 386, 449 n., 458, 550, 555,
560, 561
Littlehales, V.-Ad. Bendall Robert, 303 n.
Littlejohn, Capt. Adam, 267, 268, 548
Lively, 16, 72, 109, 112, 114, 279, 307, 309
n.,_321 n., 487 n., 490, 491, 546, 549, 553,
555
Liverpool, 100, 185 n., 374, 506
Liverpool, 109
Livingstone, Admiral Sir Thomas, 415, 450
Livingstone (Mar.), Lieut. George A- ,
317
Lizard, The, 14, 83, 216, 497, 554
Lizard, 115
Lloyd, Capt. Howell, 111
Lloyd, Capt. Thomas (1), 111
Lloyd, Capt. Thomas (2), 110
Lloyd, Admiral William (1), 191
Lloyd, Lieut.-Col., 457 n.
Loano Bay, 284
Lobb, Capt. William Granville, 291 n., 528,
557, 561
Locke, V.-Ad. Walter, 260 n.
Locker, Capt. \Villiam, 34
Locmaria, Capt. Kergariou, 91, 92, 93
I.odi, 455 and n.
Logie, Lieut. Gustavus 80, 112
Logs, Ships', 95 and n., 542
I oire, Hiver, 267
Loire, 344, 346, 347, 349, 350 and n., 530,
556, 557
London, 155, 156, 175 n., 186, 320, 331,
332, 374, 427, 444
London, 89, 90, 99, 115, 168 n., 171, 174,
200, 260 n., 262, 263, 264, 265, 283, 384
n., 424, 431, 438, 505
Long, Com. Charles (2), 377 n., 550
Long (Mar.), Lieut. Henry, 439
Long, Com. George, 452
Long, Com. William, 111
Long Island and Sound, 26, 109, 111
Long Island, Maine, 29
Long Reach, 173
Longer, Capt. Pierre Jacques, 226
Longueville Bay, St. Lucia, 293
Lorient, 34, 39, 200, 206, 221, 252 n., 254,
256, 264, 265, 266, 267, 291, 297 and n.,
300 n., 338, 345, 351, 378, 422, 491, 511,
525, 553, 555, 556
Loring, Cai t. John, 165, 45S
Losack, V.-Ad. George, 295 n.
Los Magellanes, 560
Losses, 1775-83, 109-116 ; and captures in
1793, 214 ; in 1793-1802, 548-561
Loss Archipelago, 510
Lostanges, M. de, 43
Londoun, 51
Louis, Admiral Sir John, 160 n.
Louis, R.-Ad. Sir Thomas, 237 n., 357, 374,
390, 399, 416, 418, 454 n.
Louis XVII , 205
Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland, 331
Louisa, 466 n., 468, 469 n.
Louisa WilTielmina
Louisbourg, 109, 123
L'Ouverture, General Toussaint, 378, 473
and 11.
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
601
Low Archipelago, 120, 122
Lowen, Lieut. Thomas, 341 n.
Lowestoft, 44, 45, 203 n., 212 and n., 243,
269 n., 271, 273, 279, 492, 493, 551, 553
Loyalist, 72, 111
Lucadou, Capt., 226
Lucas, R.-Ad. Engelbertus, 295 and n.
Lucas, (French Navy), Capt., 466 n.
Lucas, Captain Richard, 237 n., 280 n., 502,
552
Lu-Chu Islands, 564
Ludlow, Major-General the Hon. G. J., 455
Luke, V.-Ad. William, 554
Lukin (afterwards Windham), William :
see Windham
Lumley, Capt. the Hon. Thomas Charles,
162
Lumsdaine, V.-Ad. George, 203 n., 475, 506,
555, 558
Lunars, 124
Lund, Midshipman Thomas, 317
Luneville, Treaty of, 444, 458
Lurcher, 551
Lutine, 154, 204 n., 278, 408 n., 412 and
n., 550, 552 (2)
Luttrell (aftervmrds Olmius), the Hon.
John : see Olmius, the Hon. J. L.
Lutwidge, Admiral Skeffington, 72, 114,
136 and n., 192, 203 n., 336, 379, 413,
427
Lydiard, Capt. Charles, 499 and n.
Lys, 204 n , 552
Lyttleton, New Zealand, 120
MAAS, RIVER, 327, 408
Maarten Harpertszoon Tromp, 154, 559
Macartney, Lord, 180
Macao, 143, 144, 470, 563, 564
Macassar, 122
M'Beath, Lieut. Alexander, 335
Macbride, Admiral John, 2, 56, 192
McCarthy, Lieut. William, 548
McCluer, surveyor in the H.E.I. Co.'s service,
143, 144
McCIuer's Inlet, 144
M'Culloch, Com. Thomas, 430
M'Douall, Admiral Robert, 195, 293
M'Dougall, V.-Ad. John (1), 383
M'Evoy, Capt. Robert, 74, 110, 111
M'Gie, Lieut. David, 454 n.
Machias, 3, 109
Mackellar, Admiral John, 341 n., 342
M'Kellar, Com. Peter, 454 n.
Mackenzie, Capt. Adam, 522, 559
Mackenzie, Admiral Thomas, 31, 110, 193,
226
M'Kenzie, Capt. Kenneth, 535, 557
Mackey, Lieut. Michael, 549
M'Kinley, Admiral George (1), 430, 495
M'Kinley, Midshipman George (2), 43^9
M'Kinnon, Master's Mate Hugh, 317
M'Inerheuy, Lieut. John, 179 n., 549
M'Intosh (Mar.), Lieut. , 179
Macnamara, R.-Ad. James (2), 309 n., 494,
499, 526, 554, 560
McNeil, U.S.y., Capt. Hector, 5, 7
Madagascar, 296, 472, 549
Madeira, 49, 90, 470, 472, 529
Madras, 58, 281
Madrid, 2, 286
Madrid, Treaty of, 470 n.
Magellan's Strait, 118, 120, 121, 125
Magendie, Com. J. J., 537
Magicienne, 74, 91, 92, 93, 99, 114, 335, 449,
554
Magnanime, 346, 347, 348, 516, 556
Magnificent, 47, 114, 387 n.
Maqnifique, 114
Maiian, U.S.N., Capt. A. T., quoted, 264,
265, 287, 288, 472
Mahe, 214, 541
Mahon : see Port Mahon
Mahonesa, 504, 560 (2)
Maidstone, 22, 97 n.
Main, Lieut. Dawson, 518 and n.
Main, Midshipman Robert, 535 n.
Maine, Gulf of, 502
Mainwaring, Capt. Jemmett, 501, 551
Mainwaring, Captain's Clerk, Mr. , 179
Maire ftuiton, 216, 217
Maistral, Capt. D. M., 344
Maistral, Capt. E. T., 298 n., 480
Maitland, Colonel, 32
Maitland, Colonel Frederick, 409
Maitland, Maj.-Genl., 415
Maitland, Capt. the Hon. Frederick Lewis
(1), 114
Maitland, R.-Ad. Sir Frederick Lewis (2),
387, 456, 550
Maitland, Brigadier- General the Hon.
Thomas, 378
Majestic, 222, 226, 292, 357, 361, 362 and n.,
367, 368, 369, 370 n., 381, 384 and n.,
391, 482, 555, 560
Major, Lieut. C , 110
Majorca, 3rf6, 519, 560
Maj.-Generals of Marines, 182
Makaroff, V.-Ad., 378
Malabar, 291, 549
Malacca, and Straits of, 89, 282, 472
Malaga, 534, 560, 561
Malays, 512
Malbon, Capt. Micajah, 415, 424
Malcolm, Admiral Sir Pulteney, 509, 555
Malicolo, 133
Malin, Capt. J. P. A., 298 n.
Malina, Capt. Don J., 466 u.
Malora, Leghorn, 285
Malta, 152, 208, 278, 353, 355, 356 and n.,
374 and n., 375, 376, 383, 390, 400, 415,
418, 419, 420-123, 427, 450, 453 and u.,
454, 455, 459 n., 471, 482, 510, 557 (2)
Malta, 422, 454 n.
Maltby, Capt. William, 2, 3
Man, Lieut. Elias, 549
Man, Admiral Robert (3), 62, 115, 193,
602
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
203 n., 213, 274 and n., 277, 286, 287
and n., 28S, 289, 290 n., 552
Manar, 282
Manby, R.-Ad. Thomas, 149 n., 536, 557
Mangia Island, 138
Manilla, 321, 509
Manley, V.-Ad. John (1), 111
Manly', U.S.X., Capt. John, 5, 7, 113
Manners, Capt. Lord Robert, 50
Manning the fleet, 155—157
Mansel, Capt. Robert, 537
Mansell, Capt. Sir Thomas, 317
Mansfield, Capt. Charles John Moore, 506
Mantoue, 375
Mantua, 285, 405
Manvers, Earl : see Pierrepont, Capt. the
Hon. Charles Herbert
Maoris, 127
Maples, Com. John, 335
Marabou Island, 376, 457
Marengo, 418
Margaret, 550
Margarita Island, 517
Margate, 342, 408
Maria Louise, 558
Maria Primeira, 255 n.
Marianne, 401, 402, 404 n., 556
Marie Antoinette, 179 n., 549
Marie Rose, 402 n., 556
Marigny, Capt. de, 30
Marin Bay, Martinique, 292
Marines, The, (Royal Marines), 45, 48, 49,
61, 74, 76, 140, 141, 156 n., 170, 171, 181,
182, 206, 239, 240, 244, 247, 266, 281,
322, 324, 340, 374, 399, 402, 412, 440 n.
452, 456, 464, 478, 495, 514, 517, 565 n.,
Marittimo, 510
Markham, Archbishop, 131
Markhani, Admiral John, 177 n., 247 n.,
377 n., 385, 553, 556, 568
Mar/borough, 29, 50, 59, 116, 168 n., 176, |
177-179, 218, 219, 220, 226, 230 and n.,
384 n., 415, 551
Maiiow, Admiral Benjamin, 191
Marmont, Marshal, 404
Marquesas Islands, 124, 132
Marquis of Castries, 83 n.
Marriot, the Admiralty Judge, Sir James, !
162
Marryat, the novelist, 103 n.
Mars, 61 and n., 116 (2), 154, 168 n., 176,
255 n., 257, 258, 259, 326, 328 n., 336,
337, 388, 389, 410, 430, 431 n., 555, 559 ',
Marsden, Mr. William, 150, 169
Marseilles, 204, 205, 206, 419, 459, 557
Marseillais, 17 and n.
Marsh, Capt. Edward, 111
Marsh, Mr. George, 151
Marsh, Mr. John, 152
Marshall, Capt. Sir Samuel (2), 14 and n.,
151
Marshalsea Prison, The, 176
Marsouin, 554
Martello Towers, 212
Martin, 325, 326, 551
Martin, Capt. C. J., 357
Martin, Admiral of the Fleet Sir George,
(2), 309 n., 391, 418, 422, 423, 454 n.,
507, 560 (2)
Martin, Capt. Sir Henry (2), 150
Martin, Com. John Henry, 430
Martin, V.-Ad. Pierre, 246, 268-272, 273-
277
Martin, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Thomas
Byam, 203 n., 334, 350, 414, 498, 554,
556, 561
Martin, Boatswain William, 179
Martinencq, Capt., 459, 466 n.
Martinique, 58, 202, 213, 214, 247, 248,
250, 292, 333, 413, 472, 552
Mary, 59
Masafuera, 119, 121
Masefield, Com. Joseph Ore, 430
Maskelyue, Dr. Nevil, 124
Mason, V.-Ad. Christopher, 193
Mason, Lieut. Samuel, 549
Massachusetts, 113
Massacre ; at Toulon, 210, 211 ; at Quiberon,
266 ; at Marabou, 376 ; at El Arich, 406
Massaredo, Admiral, 320, 377, 382, 384,
387, 388, 389, 424 n., 465
Massena, Marshal, 380 n., 416, 417
Masters, 157, 158
Mastiff, 550
Matavai Bay, Tahiti, 103, 125, 133
Mates, 160
Matilda, 505, 553, 555
Matson, Admiral Richard, 412
Matthew, Major-General, 26
Matthews, Lieut. George, 111
Matthews, Capt. John, 203 n., 210, 212 n.
Maui Island, 140, 147, 563
Mauritius, 49, 83, 487, 494, 511, 520, 529,
570
Maxtone, Com. Thomas, 549
Maxwell, Capt. Keith, 540 n., 558
May, Capt. James, 203 n.
Mayflower, 557, 560
Mayo, Ireland, 344
Mazzaro del Vallo, 353, 356 n.
Meadows (or Medows), Capt. Charles : see
Pierrepont
Medals, 135, 182, 183, 226, 239, 320, 332,
373, 443, 478, 552-561
Medea, 21 and n., 22, 94, 113, 115
Medee, 343, 351, 475, 503, 504, 532, 546,
557
Medemblik, 409
Mediator, 91, 115
Medical comforts, Embezzlement of, 169
Medina, Capt. Don N. de, 62
Mediterranean, The, 4, 19, 110, 167, 176,
197 and n., 202-213, 255, 267-279, 283-
290, 305, 324, 335, 338, 351 et se<j., 379,
380, 382-388, 389-400, 414, 415, 427,
471, 492, 499, 506, 513, 531, 535, 547,
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
603
548, 549, 550, 551, 552, 553, 555, 556,
557, 558, 5GO, 561, etc.
Medusa, 445, 446 n., 550
Mcduse, 555
Medway River, 175, 176
Meermin, 558
Megoera, 260 n.
Mejan, General, 393, 399
Melampus, 346, 347, 348, 349 and n., 483,
484, 492, 553, 554 (2), 556
Melas, General Baron von, 416, 418
Melcombe, Com. John, 84, 114
Meleager, 203 n., 269 n., 273, 274 and n.,
277, 284, 285, 551
Melhuish, Com. John, 210
Melpomene, 245, 351, 480, 553, 556, 557
Melpomene, 408 n., 512, 535
Melvill, V.-Ad. Pieter, 67 and n.
Melville Bay, 569
Mernorije Bay, 454, 455
Menage, General, 344
Menagere, 91, 115
Mendana, the explorer, Don Alvaro de, 132
Meudnna's Bay, 132
Mendociuo, Cape, 146
Mendoza, Marquis de Canete, 132
Mendoza, Capt. Don G., 333 n.
Mends, Capt. Sir Robert, 264
Menou, General, 353, 424, 455, 456, 457
Mentor, 111, 112
Mercadal, Minorca, 377
Mercantile marine, The, 170
Mercedes, 526
Mercer (Mar.), Lieut. John, 250
Mercure, 204 n., 270, 357, 368, 372, 556
Mercurius, 558
Mercury, 57, 109, 123, 449, 535, 539, 542,
557, 557
Meriton, of H.E.I. Go's, service, Henry,
532
Merlin, 109, 379
Mermaid, 16, 109, 203 n., 334, 349, 350
and n., 379, 494, 501, 502, 511, 530, 554,
555, 557, 560
Merrick, Capt. William Augustus, 110
Messina, Town and Strait, 355, 356 n., 452
Metcalfe, Master George, 228
Mexicano, 309 n., 312, 387
Mexico, 147, 148, 525, 550, 551, 561, 562
Meynne, Capt. P. J., 447 n.
Micheroux, Russian officer in Neapolitan
service, 392, 396
Miconi, see Mykonos.
Middelburg, 70
Middelgrund shoal, Copenhagen, 429, 431,
432, 433
Middle Island, New Zealand, 126, 131
Middleton, Sir Charles, see Barbara. Lord
Middleton, Capt. Robert Gambier, 210,
454 n., 492, 510, 555, 561
Midshipmen, 160, 182, 186
Miermin, 558
Mifflin, 5
Mignonne, 245, 480, 549, 553
Milan, 352, 418
Milbank, Com. Ralph, 111
Milbanke, Admiral Mark, 191, 379, 413
Milbrook, 534, 544
Miles, Capt. Thomas (3), 272
Milford, 4 aud n., 14, 113
Miller, Capt. George, 421, 454 n., 558
Miller, Capt. Ralph Willett, 210, 269 n.,
309 n., 311, 315, 321, 322, 323, 357, 361,
400, 403 and n., 404 n.
Miller, Capt. Simon, 247 n., 553, 554
Milne, Admiral Sir David, 291 n., 492 and n.,
511, 533, 549, 553, 555, 557
Milne, Com. James (1), 247 n., 248
Milne, Master's Mate James, 331
Minchin, Corn. William, 439
Minerva, 18, 19, 61, 97, 110, 114, 154,
198 n., 214, 269 n., 271, 272, 290, 326,
397, 409, 554, 559
Miner ve, 24, 60, 61, 114, 243, 268, 307,
309 n., 319, 321 n., .141 n., 342, 450, 451,
480 and n., 492, 493, 505, 552, 553, 555,
558, 560
Minorca, 66, 74, 273, 377, 378, 383, 384,
385, 386, 387, 400, 449, 454, 459, 471 n.,
492, 560
Minorca, 54, 111, 386 n., 420, 454 n., 455,
556, 558
Minotaur, 160 n., 168 n., 237 n , 357, 36 1 ,
362, 364, 365, 369 and n., 370, 374, 390,
399, 416, 418, 454 n., 533, 561
Minto, Sir Gilbert Elliot, later Earl of, 245
and n., 285, 289, 307
Miquelon, 213, 291, 472
Misbehaviour, 240, 329, 330
Mistiiloff, 408 n., 410
Mitchell, Admiral Sir Andrew (1), 85, 193,
379,408-412,559
Mitchell, V.-Ad. Sir William, 326, 549
Mitchell, Master William, 224
Mitford, Capt. Henry, 555
Mizen Head, Cork, 300, 555
Mobile, 49
Mocha, 406
Modeste, 213, 552, 555
Molene Island, 25
Moller (Russian Navy), Capt. A., 408 u.
Molloy, Capt. Anthony James Pye, 202,
226, 228 and n., 229, 240
Molly, 'M, 111
Moluccas Islands, 294
Mona Passage, The, 114, 557
Monaco, 560
Munarca, 115, 377
Monarch, 61, 200, 214, 280 n., 295 n., 296,
326, 328, 329, 331, 428, 430, 432 n., 433,
436, 437, 438, 439, 440
Monckton (properly Moukton), Capt. John,
230 n., 260 n.
Moncousu, Capt, 298 n., 447 n., 459, 465
Mondavi, 454 n., 510, 555
Monkhouse, Midshipman , 127
604
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Monmouth, 174 n., 175, 326, 408 n., 410
Mmnikendam, 326, 328, 329 n., 330, 559
Monson (mil.), Capt. the Hon. Charles, 282
Montagnard, 222, 225, 239
Montague, 215, 226, 227, 230 and n., 231
and n., 256
Montagu, Admiral Sir George, 4, 33, 115,
192, 214, 216, 217 and n., 224 n., 237
and n., 238, 239
Montagu, Capt. James (1), 21, 109, 226,
228
Montagu, Admiral John, 191
Montagu, Admiral Kobert, 195
Montagu, 58, 173, 174 n., 226, 236, 326,
331, 384 n., 385, 449, 553
Montalan, Capt. Or. S. A., 490
Mont Blanc, 225, 239, 255, 278
Montebello, 418
Montego Key, 379
Montenotte, 375
Monterey, 147, 148, 563
Monies, Commod. Don P., 528
Montevideo, 59
Montgomery, Capt. Augustus, 203 n., 269 n.,
278, 552
Montgomery, 113
Montguyot, Capt. de, 27
Montreal, 25, 110
Montreal, 54, 55, 210, 552
Moore, Admiral Sir Graham, 346, 347 n.,
556
Moore, General Sir John, 409, 455
Moorish pirates, Protection against, 188
Morality in the Navy, 184
Moraut Keys, 549
Morbihan, 415, 424, 534
Morce, Com. William, 430
Morea, The, 355
Moreau de Jonnes referred to, 167 n., 174,
267 n.
Morel, Capt., 226
Moreno, V.-Ad. Don J. J. de, 459, 466 and
n., 467
Morgan, Lieut. Benjamin, 331
Morgan, Lieut. James, 210
Moriarty, V.-Ad. Sylverius, 112, 195
Morice, Capt. Richard, 247 n.
Morne Chabot, 293
Morne Fortunee, St. Lucia, 293
Morris, V.-Ad. Sir James Nicoll, 416, 534,
549, 552
Morrison, Capt. John (1), 415, 454 n., 455,
457
Morrison, Boatswain and Gunner James,
103 n., 106
Mortality on shipboard, 129
Mortars, 247, 320, 322, 389, 401, 416
Mortella Bay, 212, 243, 287, 288
Mortemart, Capt. Vicomte de, 94
Mortimer, Com. John, 309 n.
Mortlock, Com. Lewis, 341 n., 5L9
Moselle, 204 n., 269 and n., 274 and n ,
295 n., 494, 548, 552, 553
Musquito, 113, 548, 550
Mosquito Indians, 45
Moss, Com. John Ralph, 379
Mosse, Capt, James Robert, 430, 439
Motherbank, The, 548
Mott, Capt. Andrew (1), 430
Mouat, Capt. Patrick, 118
Mouatt, Capt. Henry, 4
Moulter, Boatswain's Mate, 105
Moultson, Capt. Jean, 498
Mount Batten Point, 549
Mount Edgcumbe, Admiral George, Earl,
191
Mount Egmont, New Zealand, 126
Mount Pleasant, S. Carolina, 49
Mount's Bay, 71, 130
Mouree, 79 and n.
Moutray, Capt. John, 55
Mucius, 226, 227, 230 and n., 231, 255 n.,
262, 298 u., 301
Mud Island, 109
Mudge, Admiral Zachary, 149 n., 561, 562
Mudie, Com. David, 430
Muijzenburg, 281
Muiron, 375, 404, 450, 459, 462, 466 n.
Mulet, 204 n., 552
Muletivu, 282
Mulgrave, Capt. the Hon. Constantino John
Phipps, Lord, 60, 114, 136, 571
Mulgrave, General the Hon. Henry Phipps,
Lord, 207
Million, Capt., 477 and n.
Mulso, Com. William, 549
Murat, King of Naples, 450
Murray, U.S.N., Lieut. Alexander, 73
Murray, V.-Ad. the Hon. George (2), 192,
213, 554
Murray, V.-Ad. Sir George (3), 198 n.,
260 n., 309 n., 311, 374,|430, 442, 483, 550
Murray, Bishop of St. David's, Lord George,
186
Murray, Capt. James (1), 568, 569
Murray, Capt. the Hon. John (1), 551
Murray, Purser William Bowman, 518
Muskein, Capt., 339, 340 and n., 343
Musquetier, Com. J. D., 326
Mutine, 31, 39, 40, 110, 114, 197 n., 274
and n., 298 n., 304 n., 321 n., 354, 355,
357, 363, 372, 391, 495, 516, 536, 555
Mutiny, 30, 46, 50 and n., 76, 91, 103-106,
110," 144, 167-181, 201, 240, 246, 273,
304, 305, 324, 548, 549, 550, 551, 558
Myako-sima, 564
Mykonos (Miconi), 486, 553
NAGLE, Admiral Sir Edmund, 89, 112, 266
n., 486, 487, 495, 549
Naiad, 510, 516, 525, 526, 556, 560, 561
Ndiade, 95 and n., 115, 226
Namur, 47 n., 304 n., 309 n., 384 n., 414
Nancy, 551
Nankin River, 563
Nantes, 10
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
605
Nantucket, 112
Napier, Ca[.t. the Hon. Charles (1), 100
and n.
Napier, Capt. the Hon. Patrick, 110, 112
Napier, New Zealand, 126
Naples, 207, 208, 288, 289, 339, 354, 355,
356 n., 372, 373, 374, 375, 379, 389, 390,
391, 393, 394, 395, 396, 398, 399, 418,
450, 452, 471, 552
Narcisse, 553
Narcissus, 549
Narragansett Bay, 13, 16
Nash, Capt. James, 309 n.
Nasmith, Com. John Lock hart, 110
Nassau, 173, 174 n., 175, 412, 440 n., 550
National Convention, The, 215
Nautical Almanack, The, 124
Nautilus, 29, 213, 247 n., 250, 483 n., 550
Naval Academy, Royal, 188
Naval Architecture, 153, 154
Naval Works, Inspector-General of, 155
Navy Board, The, 150-152
Navy Estimates, 153
Naze (Lindesnes), The, 428 and n.
Neale (formerly Burrard), Admiral Sir
Harry Burrard, 173, 203 n., 389 n., 506,
522, 553
Neck-chains, for medals, 183
Necker, 76, 114
Negapatam, 282
Negombo, 294
Negresse, 402 n., 454 n., 455, 556
Neirop, Captain Meindert van, 516
Nelson, the botanist, David, 104
Nelson, V.-Ad. Horatio, Viscount, 19 and
n., 42, 49, 58 n , 95, 100, 103 n , 136,
160, 182, 194, 203 n., 207, 244, 245, 264,
266, 269 n., 270, 274 and n., 277, 284,
285, 288, 290 and n., 307, 309 n., 311-
317, 320, 321, 322-324, 351-374, 377,
383, 384, 385, 386, 387 and n., 389-400,
402, 418, 419 and n., 420 and n., 427-
444, 445, 446, 480, 505, 513, 516, 554 (6),
555 (4), 556, 557, 561, 571
Nelson River, 85
Nemesis, 203 n., 212 n., 284, 426 and.n.,
427, 531, 548, 554
Nepean, Sir Evan, 150
Neptune, 175, 226, 236, 254, 387 n., 513,
550, 553, 556, 557
Neptuno, 307, 309 n., 561
Nereide, 425, 508, 554
Nest, Isle of, 548
Nestor, 253, 254, 255 n., 262, 298 n., 300,
301
Netherlands : see Holland
Netley, 557
Netley Heath, 186
Neuf Thermidor, 254, 553
Neutrality, 54, 55, 100, 101, 279, 283, 496,
509
Neuwerk, 519
Neville, Com. Martin, 540 n.
Nevin, Lieut. C J , 551
Nevis, 112
New Albion, 137, 139, 146
New, Capt. Thomas, 551
Newark, Viscount : see Pierrepont, Capt. the
Hon. Charles Herbert
New Britain, 122
New Caledonia, 133
Newcastle on Tyne, 100
Newcombe, Capt. Francis, 180, 551
Newcome, Capt. Henry, 112, 282, 294 n.,
484, 553
New Cross, 186
Newfoundland, 6, 27, 55, 88, 100, 109, 110,
111, 112, 119, 123, 197, 198 n., 201, 202,
215, 217, 277, 290, 291, 320, 335, 379,
414, 485, 548, 551, 552
New Guinea, 128, 144
New Hebrides, 104, 133
New Ireland, 122
New Jersey, 13, 478
Newman, Capt. James Newman, 293, 349,
511, 530
Newport, Rhode Island, 4
New Providence, 549
New South Wales, 102, 128, 565, 566
New York, 26, 28, 32, 47, 48, 61, 87, 109,
110, 478
New Zealand, 126, 127, 131, 133, 137, 138,
145, 564
Nicaragua, Lake, 49
Nice, 287, 418, 419, 455 n., 548
Nicholas, Capt. Robert Boyle, 111
Nicholls, Admiral Sir Henry, 177, 226
Nicholson, U.S.N., Capt. James, 72, 73,
113 (2)
Nicodeme, 298 n.
Nicolsou, Com. James, 381, 556
Nidelven, 431 n.
Nielly, R.-Ad. Joseph Marie, 215 n., 216,
217, 218, 221, 225, 226, 241, 298 n., 485,
548
Nierop, Com. M. van, 326
Nieuwe Diep, 407, 409, 559
Nieuwe Werk, 409
Niger, 24, 226, 307 and n., 309 n., 319,
454 n., 485 n., 492, 497, 533, 554, 561
Nihou Island, 139
Nile, 426 n., 534, 557
Nile, Battle of the, 183, 355-374, 377, 383,
433, 513, 515
Nile, River, 376, 405, 406, 447, 457
Nimble, 110
Nimrod, 529, 557
Ninfa, 507, 560
Niobe, 422, 557
Niou, M., 185, 273
Niphon, 563
Nisbet, Capt. Josiah, 377 n.
Niza, R.-Ad. Marques de, 374, 376
Noble, V.-Ad. James, 284
Nochette, 557
Nodin, M., 482
60(5
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Noirmoutier Island, 266, 531
Non-combatants ; as prize-sharers, 162 ; as
prisoners of war, 185
Nonsuch, 53 and n., 54, 65, 99, 114, 154
483 n.
Nootka Sound, 107, 139, 144, 145, 146, 147,
148, 563
Nore, The, 143, 172-176, 180, 184, 331,
336, 379, 413
Norfolk, 567
Norfolk, Coast of, 427 n.
Norfolk Island, 100 n., 133
Norman Cross, 185 n.
Norman, Lieut. William, 531 n.
Norris (Mar.), Major William, 317
North, 29, 110
North American station, 3, 26, 47, 111, 112,
114, 115, ]19, 123, 137, 139, 246, 286,
335, 379, 414
Northampton, 254 n.
Northern Coalition, 426
Northesk, Admiral William Carnegie, Earl
of, 175
North Island, New Zealand, 126
North Sea, 73, 116, 129, 172, 280, 294, 324
-333, 378, 379, 407-412, 414, 547, 549,
551, 554, 555, 558, 559
North-West Passage, 569
Northumberland, 110, 226, 234, 384 and
n., 391, 418, 419, 422, 454 n., 553, 557
Norway, 493, 558
Notre Dame, 113
Nova Scotia, 110, 166, 547
Nuestra Senora del Carman, 550, 561 (2)
Nuestra Senora del Guadnlupe, 307
Neustra Senora del Buen Confexo, 46
Neustra Senora de los Dolores, 535
Nuestra Senora del Rosario, 560
Nugent, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles
Edmund, 44, 194, 247 n., 248
Number of seamen and Marines voted
annually, 153
Nunes, Capt. Don M. de, 33
Nyborg, 431 n., 561
Nymphe, 55, 56, 94, 99, 112, 114, 260 n.,
380, 476, 477, 482 and n., 483, 484, 506,
552 (2), 555
OAHU, 145, 146, 147, 563
Oakes, Capt. George, 560
Oath, Refusal to give evidence on, 180 n.
Oberea, Queen of Tahiti, 120
O'Brien, or O'Bryen, Capt. Lord Edward (2),
454 n.
O'Brien, or O'Bryen, Admiral Lord James
(later, Marquis of Thomond), 512, 513
and n.
O'Bryen, R.-Ad. Caleb, 166
O'Bryen, or O'Brien, Capt. Edward (1), 326
Obusiers (shell guns), 23
O'Connor, the Irish rebel, Mr. Arthur, 296
Officers, 157-161
Ogilvy, Capt. Sir William, 293, 334 n.
Ogle, Admiral Sir Chaloner (2), 191
O'Higgins, Don Ambrosio, 148, 149
Oiseau, 22, 23, 114, 478, 490, 536, 542, 552,
556, 557
Oldrield (Mar.), Major Thomas, 321, 404
Oliver, Admiral Robert Dudley, 557
Oliver, Com. Thomas, 446 n.
Ollioules, 206
Olmius (formerly Luttrell), Capt. the Hon.
John Luttrell, 44, 91, 115
Olney, U.S.N., Capt. Joseph, 113
Omai, 131, 137, 138, 139
Omoa,.44, 45
Oneehow Island, 139
Oueglia, 284, 554
O'Neill, Com. Terence, 408 n.
Onslow, Admiral Sir Richard, 59, 192, 326,
328, 332, 558
Oorthuijs, Capt. Gerardus, 67
Oporto, 381, 390 n , 534, 549
Orange, H.R.H. the Prince of, 102,407, 403
Orde, Admiral Sir John (1), 48, 63, 193,
351 n.
Ordelin, Capt. d', 226
Orders in Council, 151 n., 157, 163
Orestes, 197 n., 340, 550
Orford Ness, 445
Orient, 114, 357, 360, 362, 363, 364, 365
and n., 366, 370, 372, 555
Oriente, 309 n., 310 n., 311
Orion, 204 n., 206, 216, 222, 223, 226, 234,
260 n., 261, 262, 264, 304 n., 307, 309 n.,
311, 314, 316, 317, 351, 352, 357, 361,
362, 364 and n., 365, 369 n.
Orissa, Coast of, 77
Orkney Islands, 143
Orne, River, 340
Oronoque, 77, 112
Oropesa, 539, 561
Orpheus, 61, 63, 109, 113, 282, 294 and n.,
484, 553, 559
Orvilliers, V.-Ad. Comte d., 16
Osborn, V.-Ad. Edward Oliver, 295 n., 558
Osborn, Admiral Samuel, 197 n., 281, 282,
294 n., 487
Ostend, 52, 100, 338, 341, 342, 426
Oswald, Capt. James, 390, 391, 392, 401,
549
Ott, General Baron von, 416, 418
Otter, 26, 28, 61, 109, 430, 432
Otu (later, Pouiare I.), King of Tahiti, 131,
133
Otvvay, Admiral Sir Robert Waller (1), 334,
430, 492, 501, 502, 553
Otway, V.-Ad., William Albany, 152
Oughton, Capt. James, 341 n., 403 n.
Ourry, Capt. George, 110
Overyssel (Overijssel), 408 n., 410, 558
I'ACEY, Purser, Mr. • , 179
Pacific Ocean, or South Seas, 102, 106 and
n., 118, 119, 120, 122, 129, 133, 134, 549,
562, 563
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
607
Page, Admiral Benjamin William, 282
Paget, V.-Ad. the Hon. Sir Charles, 326,
424
Pas?et, Capt. the Hon. William (1), 197 n.,
203 n., 485, 553
Paimpol, 538
Painting of ships, External, 231 n.
Pdjaro, 560
Pakenham, Capt. Edward, 282, 294 n., 512,
549, 553, 559
Pakenham, V.-Ad. John (1), 44, 194, 274
n., 289
Pakenham, Admiral the Hon. Sir Thomas,
66, 68, 194, 226, 240
Palais Road, Belle Isle, 256
Palermo, 375, 383, 384, 385, 389, 390 and
n., 393 n., 419, 420 n., 450
Pallas, 16, 25, 33, 35, 39, 86, 88, 112, 114,
154, 237 n., 255 n., 529, 530, 549, 557
Palliser, Admiral Sir Hugh, 123, 126, 181,
191
Palmer, Admiral George, 75, 111, 197 n.
Palmer, Com. Nesbit, 268
Palmer, Master of the Bridgewater, 570
Palmer, Mr. William, 151
Palmer, Lieut. William, 535 n.
Palmier, 114
Pampero, 118
Pandora, 104 and n., 105
Pandore, 554
Pandour, 154, 409, 549, 554, 559
Panther, 61, 143, 144
Paoli, General Pasquale, 243, 244, 245
Papillon, 226, 509
Papin, Capt. Andre, 343, 486
Paramaribo, 413
Paria, Gulf of, 333
Paris, 10, 286, 305, 343, 353
Parker, V.-Ad. Christopher (2), 44, 112,
193, 197 n., 247 n., 260 n., 552 (2)
Parker, Com. Edward Thornbrough, 445,
446 and n.
Parker, Admiral Sir George, 560
Parker, Com. Henry Harding, 549
Parker, V.-Ad. Sir Hyde (1), 112, 136
Parker, Admiral Sir Hyde (2), 110, 182,
192, 198, 203 n., 246, 269 n., 274 n., 279,
334, 335, 379, 414, 427-443
Parker, Com. John (1), 247 n.
Parker, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Peter (1),
48, 191, 198, 336, 379
Parker, the mutineer, Richard, 172-176
Parker, Capt. Robert, 293
Parker, V.-Ad. Sir William (1), 166, 193,
202, 220, 221, 293, 304, 305, 309 n., 316,
320, 351 n., 384 n., 414
Parker, Admiral of the Fleet Sir William
(2)
Parkinson, Capt. William Standway, 397 n.
Parliament, Acts of, 50, 51, 156, 157, 162,
171, 172, 175
Parliament, Thanks of, 239, 260, 265, 320,
348, 349, 373, 40i n., 412, 458
Parole, Liberation of prisoners of war on,
185
Parr, Capt. Thomas, 77, 112, 291, 549, 558
Parry, V.-Ad. Francis (2), 109, 193
Parry, U.S.N., Capt. John, 113
Parry (formerly Webley), R.-Ad. William
Henry Webley, 369 n.
Parthenopaean Republic, The, 396
Pasley, Lieut. James, 540 n.
Pasley, Admiral Sir Thomas, 192, 201,
202, 218, 219, 226, 228, 239, 379, 413,
566
Pasley, or Sir Thomas Pasley, 460, 466,
5 tO, 551
Passage d'Iroise, 298, 336 and n., 447
Passage du Raz, 298, 299, 300, 336, 345,
447
Pastor, 115
Patagonians and Patagonia, 118, 120
Patch, Origin of the Midshipman's, 182
Pater, R.-Ad. Charles Dudley, 210, 269 n.,
408 n., 549
Paterson, Admiral Charles William, 203 n.
Patriots, 201 n., 206, 216, 217, 226, 234,
298 n., 301, 485
Patton, Admiral Philip, 152, 193
Paul, Capt. Christmas, 77, 112
Paul, The Tsar, 442
Paula Prima, 115
Paula Segunda, 115
Paulet, V.-Ad. Lord Henry, 213, 247 n.,
260 n., 431, 491, 553, 555
Pay, Naval (see also Wages), 156-158, 159,
186
Payne, R.-Ad. John Willett, 92, 110, 194,
202, 226
Paz, 533, 561
Peace (see also Treaty) : of Amiens, 471-473
Peachey, Lieut. Francis, 535
Peacock, Boatswain James, 317
Peard, V.-Ad. Shuldham, 176, 305, 381,
418, 422, 448, 460, 466 n., 522, 551
Pearl, 10 and n., 33 and n., 115, 451, 452,
510, 557
Pearson, Com. Hugh, 321
Pearson, Capt. Sir Richard, 33 n., 35-39,
110
Pearson (Mil.), Lieut., 314, 315
Peckover, Gunner William, 104
Peculation, 159
Peffers, Boatswain Peter, 317
Pegase, 31, 81-83, 100, 114, 298 n.
Pegasus, 109, 226, 558
Pelayo, 309 n.
Pelew Islands, 143, 144
Pelican, 27 and n., Ill, 293, 503, 504, 544,
555
Pelletier, 226
Pellew, Sir Edward : see Exmouth, Admiral
Lord
Pellew, Admiral Sir Israel, 477, 503, 543,
549
Pelly, Capt. Charles, 446 n.
608
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Pelter, 266 n.
Pembrokeshire, 506
Fender, V.-Ad. Francis, 77, 112
Penelope, 110, 154, 197 n., 250, 251, 335,
387, 420-422, 481, 482, 550, 552 (2), 557,
561
Penguin, 537, 558
Penmarcks, The, 256, 304 n., 336, 486, 497,
507, 511, 531, 549, 550, 553, 554, 555,
557
Pennsylvania, 80, 112
Penny, Capt. Taylor, 59, 116
Penobscot, 28, 29, 113
Pensacola, 110, 111
Pensee, 501
Pensions, 157, 170, 171, 175 n., 188, 239,
332, 373, 470, 478
Penzance, 4, 100
Pepys Island, 118, 119
Perfante, 497, 554
Perdrix, 553
Perel, 70, 71
Perkins, Capt. John, 335, 471 and n.
Perln, 561
Perle, 52, 114, 204 n., 552
Peronne, Capt. L. de, 344
Peros, Rochers de, 254
Perree, 11.- Ad., 267, 376, 386, 400, 402, 404,
418, 419, 522
Perry (Mar.), Lieut. Philip Luscombe, 335
Perseus, 48, 197 n., 390, 391, 400, 401, 402,
559, 560
Perseverance, 72 and n., 114, 198 n.
Peru, 121, 561
Pescadores, 564
Petit Bourg, Guadeloupe, 249
Petit Diable, 554
Petite Aurore, 552
Petite Garenne, 206
Petitions from seamen, 168, 169, 170, 172
Petrel, 284, 285, 377 n., 378 and n., 454 n.,
455, 530, 550, 557, 560
Petropaulovski, 137, 142, 143
Petty officers, 170
Peuple, 255 n., 256, 262, 263
Peuple Souverain, 357, 362, 363, 364, 372,
373 n.
PeVrieu, Capt. Etienne, 343, 483, 499
Peyton, It.- Ad. John, 357
Peyton, Admiral Joseph (1), 191, 336, 379
Phaeton, 216, 226, 231, 255 n., 256, 259,
416, 494, 509, 534, 552 (2), 553, 554, 556,
561 (2)
Pharos of Alexandria, The, 356
Pheasant, 111
Philadelphia, 13, 57
Philippine Islands, 509
Phillip, Admiral Arthur, 195, 564, 565
and n.
Phillips, General, 61
Phillips (Mar.), Lieut., 140
Phoebe, 299, 300 and n., 304 n., 508, 537,
538, 546, 555 (2), 558
Phoenix, 52, 58, 110, 114, 176, 198 n., 451,
498, 531, 557, 558 (2)
Philpor, Mr. V , R N., 551
Pliips, Capt. David, 71, 112
Phipps, Capt. the Hon. Charles, 27, 1.14
Phipps, the Hon. Constantine John : fee
Mulgrave, Capt. Lord
Phocion, 200 n.
Piacenza, 418
Pickersgill, Lieut. Richard, 129, 137
Piedmont, 375, 415, 418
Piercy, Capt. Richard, 486, 548
Piercy, Capt. Thomas, 33 n., 35-39, 110
Pierre|ipnt, Capt. the Hon. Charles Herbert
(later Viscount Newark and Earl Man-
vers), 373 n.
Pierrepont, R.-Ad. William, 247 n., 516,
525
Piervert, Capt. de, 85
Piymy, 111, 418, 548
Pigot, 483, 546
Pigot, Capt. Hugh (2), 179, 334 and n.,
549
Pigot, Major-General, 423
Pigott, Admiral James, 193, 226
Fiji, 558
Pike, the, 186
Pilade, 269 n.
Pilfold, Capt. John, 415, 557
Pilgrim, 59, 70
Pilote, 39, 114
Pilots, 35, 428, 433 and n., 439
Piombino, 450
Pique, 154, 291 n., 452, 488-490, 511, 530,
545, 549, 553, 555, 557
Pirates, 113, 188, 513, 558
Pitcairn Island, 103 n., 106 and n., 122
Pitot, Capt., 500, 533
Placentia, 112, 198 n., 548
Plague, 425
Plampin, V.-Ad. Robert, 274 n., 551
Playa de Dominos, 424
Pletsz, Capt. Bartholomeus, 326, 516
Plouascat, 15
Pluto, 552
Pluton, 92 n., 298 n.
Pluvier, 206
Plymouth, 3, 29, 111, 120, 121, 124, 130,
138, 152, 154, 185 n., 187, 221, 237, 241,
255, 290, 305, 336, 348, 372, 379, 413,
449, 503, 526, 551, 558
Plymouth, 460
Point Negro, 549
Point Pedro, 282
Point Venus, Tahiti, 125, 562
Pointe a Pitre, Guadeloupe, 248, 249, 250,
280
Pointe du Raz, 336 n., 495, 553
Polders, Com., 326
Pole, Admiral of the Fleet Sir Charles
Morice, 77, 79, 110, 115, 166, 169, 193,
203 n., 237 n , 389 and n., 414, 443 and
n., 552
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
609
Polecat, 112
Pollexfen, Lieut. John, 550
Polly, 58
Polyphemus, 304 n., 430, 432 n., 433, 439,
506 and n., 555, 558
Pomare L, 131, 133
Pomona, 44, 45, 58, 109, 266 n., 511
Pomone, 154, 260, 448 n., 451, 452, 483,
484, 495, 507, 508, 552, 553, 554, 555,
558 (2)
Pom-pee, 168 n., 176, 204 n., 387 n., 449,
460, 461, 462, 463 and n., 464, 465, 466,
RR9
ijO~i
Pondicherry, 51, 214, 472
Ponsonby, Capt. Milham, 111
Pontevedra, 561
Ponza Islands, 390
Pope, the, 324, 369 and n.
Popham, E.-Ad. Sir Home Riggs, 186, 341
and n., 342, 411, 427 n., 457
Porcupine, 44, 54, 55
Porpoise, 560, 569, 570
Port au Paix, 334
Port au Prince, 250, 251, 293, 378, 549
Port Desire, 118, 119
Port Discovery, 146
Port Egniont, 1, 2, 3, 119
Port Famine, 118, 119, 120
Port Hamilton, 564
Port Jackson, 127, 147, 565, 566, 567, 568,
569, 570
Port Louis, Falkland Islands, 2
Port Louis, France, 532, 557 (2)
Port Mahon, 74, 111, 378, 384, 385 and n.,
449,453,531,538
Port Mahon, 378, 454 n., 457, 560
Port Navalo, 534
Port Nicholson, 126
Port of Spain, 333, 334
Port Phillip, 568
Port Royal, 111, 549
Port Royal, Jamaica, 214
Port Royal, Savannah, 32, 48
Port Royal (Matavai), Tahiti, 125
Porte, The : see Turkey
Portland, 47 n.
Portlock, Capt. Nathaniel, 524, 559
Porto Ercole, 451
Porto Ferrajo, 243, 285, 287, 290, 307, 450,
451, 549
Porto Longone, 451
Porto Praya, 162
Portsdown, 186
Portsmouth, Hants, 25, 83 n., 151, 152, 154,
159 n., 167 n., 168, 169, 174, 184, 185 n.,
186, 240, 279, 336, 379, 413, 467 n., 479,
548
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 74
Portsmouth, Virginia, 26
Portugal, country, and coast of, 114, 200,
241, 252, 255" and n., 282, 288 n., 307,
354, 374, 376, 378, 386, 390, 458, 470
and n , 471, 472, 550, 557, 560
VOL. IV.
Poudriere, Toulon, the, 206
Poulden, R.-Ad. Richard, 377 n.
Poulette, 204 n., 269 n., 549, 552
Poursuivante, 531
Pourvoyeuse, 89
Poussielgue, M., 406
Powder, 544 and n.
Powerful, 326, 328, 331, 384, 385, 391
Pownall, Capt. Philemon, 22 and n., 52, 114
Poyntz, Admiral Stephen, 528, 539, 557
Pozzighettone, 418
Praed', V.-Ad. Bulkley Mackworth, 341 n.,
550
Prater, Com. Richard, 309 n.
Precieuse, 226
Preneuse, 524, 525, 529, 557
Prescott, Admiral Isaac, 193
Pressland, Capt. Thomas, 377 n., 454 n.
Preston, 17
Preston, Admiral d'Arcy, 284, 505
Prevost, General, 32
Preooyante, 426 n., 492, 553
Price, Capt. Charles Papps, 340, 341, 555
Priest, Lieut Joseph Hemsley, 210
Prima, 417, 557
Prince, 178, 260 n., 263, 387 n.
Prince Edward, 61, 112, 116
Prince Frederick, 295 n., 559
Prince George, 260 n., 263, 304 n., 307,
309 n., 310, 313, 314, 316, 321, 384 n.
Prince of Orange, 4
Prince of Wales, 260 n., 333 n., 412, 449,
565 n.
Prince William's Inlet, 139
Prince William Sound, 148
Princes Frederika Louisa Wilhelmina,
295 n.
Princesa, 115, 560
Princess, 281, 558
Princess Caroline, 59
Princess Charlotte, 386 n., 556
Princess of Orange, 559
Princesa Royal, 203 n., 207, 269 and n., 272,
274 n., 384 n., 549
Princessa de Beira, 255 n.
Principe Carlos, 115
Principe de Asturias, 309 n., 310 n.
Principe Reil, 390
P rinds Christian Frederik, 440 n.
Pringle, V.-Ad. Thomas, 10, 180, 193, 226,
283, 295 n., 296, 335
Prins Frederik, 295 n.
Prinses Carolina, 59, 116
Prison ships, 176
Prisoners of war, 51, 83, 91, 184, 186 n.,
112, 184, 185, 515, 516
Privateers, 4, 7, 13, 16 n., 24, 27, 34, 47, 51,
52, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 70, 71, 75,
76, 80, 91 n., 97 n., 98, 99, 100, 109, 110,
111, 114, 154, 162, 214, 334, 335, 475,
482, 483, 496, 508, 509, 519, 520, 525,
533, 534, 540, 545, 546, 548, 549, 551,
557, 560, 561
2 E
610
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Prize Law, 4, 161-165
Prize Money, 172, 294, 444, 526
Proby, Capt. Charles, 151
Proby, Capt. William Allen Proby, Lord,
180, 530, 550, 556
Procida, 390
Promotion from the lower deck, 123, 124
Prompte, 492, 552, 560
Proselyte and Proselyte, 204 n., 244, 548,
551, 552, 558
Proserpine, 31 and n., 114, 174 n., 197 n.,
226, 255 n., 348, 495, 499, 500, 511, 519
(2), 546, 550, 554, 556
Proteau, Capt., 466 n.
Protecteur, 81, 83
Protector, 113
Protee, 49, 50, 114
Provence, 205
Provestee-n, 431 n., 432, 433, 434, 561
Providence, 4, 26, 110, 113 (2), 144, 549,
553, 562, 563, 566
Providential Channel, 128
Provisions, 102, 103, 169, 170
Prowse, R.-Ad. William (1), 309 n., 319
Prudente, 27, 46 n., 53 and n., 76, 114, 487,
488, 502, 520, 556
Prussia, 102, 200, 280, 427
Puerto Caballo, 45
Puerto Cabello, Venezuela, 527, 561
Puerto del Madre de Dios, Sta. Cristina,
132
Puerto Rico, 58, 179, 334 and n., 335, 533,
553
I'uget, R.-Ad. Peter, 146 and n., 147
Puget Sound, 146, 149
Puisaye, Comte de, 266
Puissant, 204 n., 552
Pulliblank, Lieut. Abraham, 548
Pulling, Capt. George Christopher, 539
Pulling, Capt. John King, 554
Pullock Harbour. 509
Pulo Tiuman, 119
Pulteney, Lieut.-General Sir James, 424
Pumps, 38, 106, 127
Punch, 471 n.
Punishments, 50 and u., 86, 103-106, 159,
176, 180, 181
Purcell, Carpenter William, 103
Purchet, Capt., 506
Pursers, 102, 188
Purvis, Admiral John Child (1), 86, 115,
203 n., 207, 269 n., 274 n., 424
Putney, 186
Pylades, 174 n., 522, 548, 559
Pym, Admiral Sir Samuel, 555
QCJADRA : see Bodega y Quadra
Quarme, Lieut. William, 110
Quartidi, 553
Quatorze Juillet, 555
Quebec, 55, 123, 555
Quebec, 40-44, 73, 91 and n., 97, 110, 113,
247 n., 248, 280, 334, 495
Queen, 51, 83, 114, 213, 222, 223, 224,226,
227, 228, 234, 260 n., 262, 263, 265
Queen Charlotte, 168 and n., 169, 222, 223,
224, 226, 231 and n., 232, 234, 235, 239,
240, 241, 260 n., 262, 263, 264, 265, 384,
385 n., 416, 418, 419, 550
Queen Charlotte Sound, 126, 131, 133, 138,
146
Queen of France, 113
Queenstown Harbour (see also Cork), 254 n.,
301 n., 558
Quelpart Island, 564
Querangal, Capt. P. M. J., 298 n.
Quiberou Bay, 200, 260, 266, 267, 415, 551,
558 (2)
Quid pro Quo, 557
Quimper, 414, 531
Quinton, Capt. Cornelius, 551
Quiros, the navigator, Don Pedro Fernan-
dez de, 127, 132, 133
RACCORD, Capt. P. P., 357
Racehorse, 4, 44, 58 and n., 109 (2), 111,
114, 136
Racoon, 89, 112
Radelet, Capt. G., 536
Radstock, V.-Ad. the Hon. Granville George
Waldegrave, Lord, 160 n.
Radstock, Admiral the Hon. Sir William
Waldegrave (1), Lord, 53, 193, 203 n.,
284, 309 n., 320 and n., 335, 379, 414
Raffy, Lieut. R. G., 513
Raggett, Capt. Richard, 341 n.
Raikes, 112
RaiUeur, 92, 115, 357, 359, 360, 530, 550
Bainboiv, 5 n., 6 and n., 7, 26, 86 and n.,
113, 115
Bainha de Portw/al, 255 n.
Rainier, R.-Ad. John Sprat, 294 n., 405,
406
Rainier, Admiral Peter (1), 193, 216, 281,
282, 294 and n., 336, 379, 405, 414, 506,
558
Rains, Lieut. James, 326
Rains, Com. Stephen (1), 51
Raison, 492, 502, 553
Raisonnabh, 26, 28, 48, 431, 442
Raleigh, 7, 8, 10, 20, 21, 48, 113
Ram, Midshipman Thomas, 439
Ramage, Capt. Edward, 294, 295 n., 558
Rambler, 40, 42-44 and n., 70
Ramillies, 55, 86, 88, 112, 168 n., 226,
233 and n., 234, 235, 336, 388, 389, 414,
431, 435 n., 437, 549
Rammers and sponges with flexible shafts,
231 n.
Ramsgate, 408
Randolph, 10, 113
Ranelagh, Capt. Hon. Charles Jones (1),
Viscount, 302 and n., 345, 348, 415,
554
Ranger, 10, 12 and n., 13, 33 n., 109, 113,
226, 508, 548, 555 (2), 558
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
611
Ranzanne, Capt. Le Breton de, 53
Raper, Admiral Henry, 341 n., 529
Ilaposo. f.fil
Has el Mella, 450 n.
llasswante, 501
Kathborne, Capt. Wilson, 272
Rathburne, U.S.N., Capt. , 113
Rattler, 226, 235, 561
Rattlesnake, 24, 111, 114, 247 n., 280 n.,
281,294, 295 n., 524, 558
Ratzivan, 408 n., 409
Raven, 112, 309 n., 319 and n., 549, 556
Raw crews, Danger of, 100
Rawlance, Lieut. Roger R , 224
Raymondis, Capt de, 17
Rayner, (!apl. John, 17
Raynor, Com. John, 550
Read, Lieut. Samuel, 179 n., 334 n.
Real Carlos, 59, 424 n., 466 n., 467, 361
Rebtcna, 103, 381,556
Rebels, Irish, 296, 343
Recaptures, Salvage for, 162
Receviso, 560
Recovery, 19, 61, 114
Red, Creation of Admirals of the, 191
Red Ensign, 222
Red flag of mutiny, 169, 173, 174, 175
Red-hot shot, 3, 175, 244, 430 n., 490
Red Sea, The, 338, 405, 406, 457, 556
Uedbridge, 154
Redoubtable, 255 n., 262, 298 n., 301
Reeve, V.-Ad. Samuel, 109. 193, 203 n., 213,
269 n., 271, 274 n.
Rer/eiieree, 255 n., 455, 458 and n., 502, 510,
512, 537, 558
Regiments : Royal Irish, 45 ; Loyal Ameri-
can Rangers, 63 ; 69th (now Welsh), 183
n., 314, 315 ; 49th (now Royal Berkshire),
184 n. ; Colonel Manningham's Corps
(now Rifle Brigade), 184 n. ; 23rd Foot,
251; 118th, 264; 78th, 281; 52nd,
282; Queen's, 334; 1st Guards, 342;
63rd, 379; 9th W. India, 379; 2nd,
415; 20th, 415; 36th, 415; 82nd, 415;
92nd, 415 ; 49th, 427 ; 95th, 428 ; 49th,
433 ; 85th, 457 n. ; 3rd Buffs, 471 ; Scots
Brigade, 522
Regnier, General, 353
Reyulus, 335, 454 n., 560
l.'eijntjes, V.-Ad. H., 326
Reina Luisa, 561
Reliance, 565, 566, 567
Renard, 114, 298 n.
Renaud, Lieut. G., 535
Renaud, Capt. Jean Marie, 487, 529
Renaudin, R.-Ad. Jean Franyois, 226, 236
and n., 242, 252, 255, 273
Rendsborg, 43 In., 561
Kennel], the geographer, Major, 121
Rennie, Capt. John, 408 n., 410, 427 n.,551
Renommee, 454 n., 500, 554
Renou, Capt. Adrian, 412
Renou (French Navy), Capt., 535
Renown, 17, 48, 388, 389 n., 424, 449, 452,
557
Reolaise, 508, 534, 557
Reorganisation of the French Xavy in 1793,
215 and n. ; in 1799, 413
Reprisal, 9, 113, 553
Republican, 226, 227, 231, 236, 252, 553
(2), 554
RepuUicame, 216, 218, 485, 494, 501, 523,
524, 553, 556
Republique, 554
Republique, Triomphante, 554
Repulse, 73, 109, 112, 174 n., 175 and n.,
384, 414, 550
Requin, 412, 490, 551, 553
Resistance, 94, 115, 184, 282, 294 n , 484,
512, 549, 553, 559
Resistance, 154, 506, 507, 555
llesolucion, 561
Resolue, 85, 298 n., 301 n., 344, 346, 349
and n., 350, 483 (2), 484, 554, 556
Resolution, 50, 112, 129-134, 137-143, 274
n., 549
Resolution, 277
Resource, 63 and n., 64, 114, 247 n., 280,
454 n., 555, 559
Retaliation, 528
Retalick, Lieut. James, 331, 430
Retalick, Capt. Richard, 351, 373 n.
Retirement : see Superannuation
Retribution, 528, 561
Reunion, 154, 479, 480, 493, 543 n., 545,
546, 549, 552, 556, 558 .
Reval, 440 n., 441, 442
Revanche, 404, 498 n., 557
Revenge, 553
Revesby Abbey, 124
RevoJutie, 295 V,., 559
Revolution, 201 n., 255, 286, 298 n., 300 n.,
301, 302
RMolutionnaire, 154, 219, 220, 221, 260
n., 299, 300, 349, 487, 49.) and n., 496,
525 and n., 545, 552, 553, 554
Rewards, 83, 239, 240, 320, 332, 373, 374,
400, 404 n., 412, 422, 443, 444, 458, 469,
470, 477, 487, 505, 516, 528
Reybaud, Capt., 536
Reynolds, Capt. Francis (later, Francis
Reynolds Moreton) : see Ducie, Lord
Reynolds, Capt. George, 454 n., 550
Reynolds, R.-Ad. Robert Carthew, 299, 302,
303 n., 496, 549, 555
Rhc, Isle of, 553
Rhode Island, 109
Rhodes, 401 n., 402
Ribouleau, V.-Ad. Peter, 454 n., 455
liicard, General, 248
I Rice, 105
Rich, Admiral Sir Thomas, 192
Rich, Com. T W , 548
Richardson, Com. William (1), 370 n.
Richer, Capt. J. B. E., 517, 519
Richery, R.-Ad. Joseph de, 277 and n.,
2 R 2
61-2
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
278, 283, 280, 290, 291, 297, 298 n.,
300
Richmond, Lieut. Thomas Foord, 210
Richmond, 25, 48, 75, 111
Kicketts, Capt. William, 558
Kicketts, Capt. William Henry : see Jervifi,
Capt. W. H. R.
Kickman, Lieut. John, 138 and n.
Kider, Right Hon. Dudley, 150
Rifles, 404 n.
Rijnbende, Capt. Jan, 295 n.
Rio de Janeiro, 118, 557
Rions, Capt. de, 32, 92 n.
Riou, Capt. Edward, 106, 107, 136, 138.
247 n., 248, 430, 432, 434, 435, 436 ami
n.. 439, 440, 553, 571
Riouffe, Capt., 481
Kiverij, Com. J., 326, 410
Riviera, The, 415, 419, 530
Rivigliano, 391
Rivington, of H. E. I. Co.'s service, Rohert,
533, 534
Roberts, Capt. Bartholomew, 283
Roberts, Capt. Francis, 41, 73
Roberts, Capt. Henry, 291 n.
Roberts, Midshipman Hugh, 422 n.
Robertson, Capt. Lewis, 22, 51, 110 (2), 112,
250
Robinson, Com. Charles (1), 548
Robinson, Capt. Hugh, 72, 75, 111
Robinson, Com. J • Parker, 550
Robinson, Admiral Mark (2), 266 n.
Robinson (Mar.), Lieut. Raby, 324
" Robinson Crusoe," 566
Robust, 48, 168 n., 203 n., 206, 210, 260,
266 n., 346, 347, 348, 349, 388, 389 n.,
507, 558
Robuste, 554
Rochambeau, General, 247, 248
Rochefort, 200, 206, 216, 221, 252 n., 254,
291, 294, 297, 338, 343, 351, 381, 382,
388 and n., 455, 523, 536, 553, 554
Rochelle, La, 511
Rocky Point, Jamaica, 548
Roddam, Admiral Robert, 191
Rodney, Com. James, 109
Rodney, Admiral Sir George Brydges, Lord,
61, 62, 87, 114, 115, 116, 161
Rodney, Capt. the Hon. John, 161 and n.
Rodney, 77, 112
Roebuck, 48 and n., 49, 63 and n., 113 (2),
247 n., 558
Rogers, Mr. George, 151
Rogers, Capt. Josias, 27, 80, 110, 112, 247
n., 248, 280
Rogers, R.-Ad. Thomas, 247, 449, 535, 539,
557
Roggewein, the navigator, 122, 127, 132
Rolla, 570
Rolles, V.-Ad. Robert, 550, 561
Uoinaine, 298 n., 300, 301, 344, 346,
351
Rome, 375, 399, 471
Bomney, 51, 52, 114, 197 n., 203 n., 291,
408 n., 410, 457, 485, 486, 553
Romulus, 48, 62, 111, 203 n., 269 n., 454 n.,
560
Ronciere, Capt. N. Clement de La, 344
Rondeau, Capt. J. M., 486.
lioquart, Lieut, de, 21
Roquefeuil, Capt. de, 31
Roquefeuil, Lieut, de, 40
Rosario, 115, 531 n., 550, 560
Rosas Bay, 385, :i86
Rose, 16 n., 32, 110, 247 n., 249, 326, 548,
551
Rose, Com. James, 331
Rose, Capt. Jonas, 430, 432, 446, 550, 558
Rose, Captain's Clerk Joseph, 439
Rosetta, and Rosetta mouth of the Nile,
357, 400
Rosia Bay, 286, 288
Rosily, Enseigne de, 15
Ross, V.-Ad. Charles Bayne Hodgson, 551
Ross, Lieut. Francis, 228
Rosses, The, 347 n.
Rossum, Com. L. W. van, 326
Rota Point, Cadiz, 549
Rotherhithe, 143
Rothery, Lieut. John Carpenter, 414
Rotterdam, 59, 60, 116
Rover, 57, 62, 97, 110, 111, 114, 549
Rowe, Com. Henry Nathaniel, 321
Rowe, Com. John, 525 and n., 550, 556
Rowley, Admiral Bartholomew Samuel, 63,
114, 195, 197 n., 250, 274 n., 481,
552
Rowley, Admiral Sir Charles, 554, 555
Rowley, V.-Ad. Sir Joshua, 47. 57, 182
Rowley, R.-Ad. Samuel Campbell, 430
Roxburgh, Master Robert, 464
Royal Charlotte, 332 n.
Royal George, 112, 168 n., 169, 222, 223, '
224, 226, 228, 236, 260 n., 263, 264, 283,
380, 388, 389 and n., 414
Royal Society, The, 122, 134, 135, 567
Royal Sovereign, 168 n., 176, 226, 227, 230,
255 n., 257, 259 and n., 291 n., 282 n.,
387 n.
Royal Standard, The, 188, 189
Royalist feeling in France, etc., 199, 200,
204, 2C5, 212, 213, 214, 215, 249, 266,
267, 296, 415, 482, 496
Ruby, 24, 27 and n., 57, 58, 90, 91, 114,
115, 237 n., 295 n.
Rude, 554
Ruffo, Cardinal, 391, 392, 393 and n., 394,
395, 396, 397, 398 and n.
Ruijsch, Com. H. A., 326
Ruijsoort, Com., 326
Rumain, Capt. du, 56
Rupert, 71 n.
Ruse, 519
Russell, Admiral Thomas Macnamara, 93,
115, 195, 333 n.
Russe;!, Com. William (2), 555
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
613
Russell, 48, 202, 218, 219, 220, 222, 226,
230, 231, 260 n., 261, 262, 264, 325, 326,
329 n., 331, 387 n., 428, 430, 432 n., 433,
434, 435, 440, 442
ussia, 43. 200, 279 and n., 375, 377, 378
and n., 379, 386, 389, 390, 391, 394, 400,
407, 408, 411, 426, 427, 428, 440, 441,
470, 516, 550
Russian Armament" of 1791, The, 107,
108
Russian contingent for the expedition to
Holland, 408 and n.
Rutherford, Capt. William Gordon, 247
Rutherford, Master's Mate Alexander, 446 n.
Ryan, the outlaw, Luke, 100
Ryder, Capt. Charles, 284
Ryves, E.-Ad. George Frederick (1), 293
SABA, 471
Sabina, 466 n., 467, 505
Sachem, 113
Sagesse, 523
Saghalien Island, 563, 564
Sagittaire, 32
Saiiuguet, General, 447
St. Albans, 94 and n., 115, 203 n., 290, 484
Saint Andre, M. Jean Bon, 215, 236 n., 543
Saint Antoine, 466 and n., 467 and n., 558
St. Bartholomew, 47, 63, 470
St. Brieux, 554
St. Christopher, or St. Kitts, 110, 115, 250,
504
St. Croix, W. Indies, 470
St. Croix, France, 531
St. Elmo, 393, 399
St. Eustatia, 116
St. Eustatius, 22, 61, 62, 470
St. Firmin, 111
St. George, 176, 203 n., 206, 207, 269 n.,
272, 274 n., 305, 387 n., 428, 431, 438,
440, 441, 442, 444
St. George's Channel, 495
St. George's Channel, Pacific, 122
St. George's Island, 112
St. George's Key, 379
St. Helena, 76
St. Helen's, 171, 200, 202, 216, 283, 300 n.,
336
St. Helier, 60
St. Jacques, 556
St. John, W. Indies, 470
St. John of Jerusalem, Order of, 471
St. John's, Newfoundland, 88, 291
St. John's Bay, N. Ireland, 349
Saint Julien, K.-Ad., 205, 206
St. Kitts : see St. Christopher
St. Lawrence, River and Gulf of, 109, 110,
123, 549
St. Lucia, 22, 58, 111, 248, 280, 292, 472
St. Malo, 25, 254, 492, 529, 534 n., 551, 553
St. Marc, San Domingo, 378
St. Marcou, 163-165, 339-341, 371, 551,
555
St. Martin, 470, 471
St. Mathieu, near Brest, 253
Saint Michel, General Lacombe, 244
St. Nicolas Mole, 214
Saint Ouen's Bay, 25
St. Ours, Capt. de, 94
St. Patrick, The "Cross" of, 188
St. Paul's Cathedral, 332
St. Pierre, 213, 291, 472
St. Pierre, 549
St. Pierre, Martinique, 247
St. Thomas, 470
St. Ture, Capt. de, 63
St. Vaast, 339
St. Valery, 446
St. Vincent, Admiral of the Fleet Sir John
Jervis, Earl, 81-83, 100, 107, 114, 150,
166, 176-179, 181, 183, 191, 198, 202,
246-250, 264, 279, 283-290, 304 and n.,
305-320, 324, 335, 337, 351 and n., 354,
372, 374, 377, 378, 379, 381, 382 and n.,
383, 384 and n., 385 and n., 386, 387,
388 and n., 391 n., 414, 440 n., 442, 444,
446, 499, 505, 532, 552, 553, 560, 568
St. Vincent, 47, 58, 115, 183 and n., 280,
293
St. Vincent Gulf, 568
Si!. Vincent, 424
Sainte Famille, 555
Ste. Marguerite, Isle, 268
Saintes, W. Indies, The, 249
Saintes, off Brest, The, 380, 554
Salahieh, 423
Salaries of Commissioners, 152
Salamine, 366 n., 386, 400, 449, 450, 522,
556
Saldanha Bay, 70, 165, 295, 559
Saldanha, 295 n., 559
Salisbury, Capt. John, 247 n.
Salisbury, 549
Saltholm Island, 429, 440
Salutes, 174
Sallenelle, 343
Salter, Capt. Elliot, 46, 83, 84, 115
Saltonstall, U.S.N., Capt. Dudley, 113
Salvador, 561
Salvador del Mundo, 309 n., 312, 314, 317,
560
Samana Bay, 90
Samboangon, 509
Samea, 89
Samnita, 207, 274 n.
San Ambrosio Island, 122
San Antonio, 309 u., 424 n., 466, 560 (2)
San Augustin, 424 n., 466 n.
San Bias, 562
San Cristobal, 115
San Damaso, 333 n., 334 and n., 560
San Diego, 147
San Domingo, 19, 57, 58, 89, 91, 115,5214,
250, 293, 334, 378, 447, 473 and n.,'481,
492, 497, 50J, 528, 549, 552, 553, 554,
555, 557
614
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
San Domingo, 309 n., 334 n., 548
San Dominico, 132
SandomI, 560
San Evgenio, 115
San Fel'ix Island, 122
San Fernando, 424 n., 466 n.
San Fiorenzo, 167, 212, 243, 244, 267, 268,
273, 274, 277, 279, 285, 286, 287, 288,
506, 522, 548, 549, 552
San Fiorenzo, 173, 244, 389 n., 552, 554
San Firmin, 309 n.
San Francisco, 147, 560
San Francisco de Paula, 309 n.
San Qenaro, 309 n.
San Hermetiegildo, 424 n., 466 n., 467, 468,
561
San lldefomo, 309 n.
San Josef, 154, 309 n., 312, 314, 315, 310,
317,32], 534, 560, 561
Sara Juan Nepomuceno, 309 n.
San Juan, Puerto Rico, 334
San Juan, River, 49, 115
San JuUano, 115
San Leon, 391, 560
San Miguel, 115
San, Nicolas, 309 n., 312, 314, 315, 316,
317, 5CO
San Pablo, 309 n.
San Pedro Island, 132
San Pedro Shoal, 468
San Pietro, 352, 356 n., 552
Saw Pio, 560
San Sebastian, Gulf of, 134
San Sebastian, 387 n.
San Vincente, 333 n., 560
San Ysidro, 154, 309 n., 312, 314, 317,
560
Sanders, Capt. James, 390 n , 520, 560
Sandfly, 165 n., 341, 555
Sandwich, 48, 74, 111, 173, 174 n., 176
Sandwich Islands, 139-142, 145, 147, 148,
563
Sandwich Land, 134
Sandwich, Lord, 135, 137
Sandy Hook, 378
Sandy Point, 118
Sandys, Lieut. Richard Edward, 430, 439
Sangaar, Strait of, 563, 564
Sanitation on board ship, 129, 133, 134,
568
Sans Cvlotte, 201 n., 270, 365 n., 552, 554
Saws Pareil, 52, 114, 216, 225, 226, 230 n.,
236, 260 n., 261, 262, 263, 264, 388, 389
n., 553
Sanspareille, 418, 535, 557
Sans Quartier, 556
Sansom, Dr., 179
Sta. Ana, 115, 387
Sta. Brigido,, 525, 526, 560
Sta. Catalina, 78, 79, 99, 115 (2)
Sta. Cazilda, 511
Sta. Cecilia, 333 n., 560
Sta. Oristina, 132
Santa Cruz, Tenerife, 304 n., 321 and n.,
322-324, 351, 549, 555
Santa Cruz Islands, 122
Sta. Dorotea, 416, 511, 512, 542, 560 (2)
Sta. Elena, 507, 560
Sta. Leocadia, 64, 65 n., 115
Sta. Margarita, 45, 46 and n., 83, 84, 115,
247 n., 48(5, 491, 498, 546, 553, 554, 560
Sta. Maria, 535
Sta. Maria battery, Spezzia, 213
Santa Monica, 33, 112, 115
Sta. Sabinn, 560
Sta. Teresa, 385, 519, 560
Santander, 540
Santiago Battery, Algeciras, 461, 462, 463
Santiago, Chile, 148, 149
Santiago, Cuba, Battle of, 98
Santisima Trinidad, 309 n., 312, 316, 317,
318
Sao A/onso, 390
Sao Sebastirio, 390
Saratoga, 113
Sardine, 554
Sardinia, 200, 277, 287, 352, 375, 379, 450,
480, 510, 552, 557
Sarpen, 431 n.
Saitine, 19, 51, 58, 111, 114
Saturn, 176, 274 and n., 277, 431, 442
Sauerkraut, 128
Saulnier, Capt., 357, 420-422
Saumarez, Admiral Sir James Saumarez,
Lord de, 182, 195, 260 n., 309 n., 311,
351, 357, 362 and n., 369, 373, 374, 459-
470, 479, 480, 485, 487, 546, 552, 558,
561
Saunders, Admiral Sir Charles, 136, 181
, Saunders, Lieut. Richard, 63
Saunier, Capt., 537, 538
Sause, Com. Robert, 551
j Savage, Admiral Henry, 57, 110, 195, 549
; Savage, 61, 74, 100, 109, 111, 341 n.
Savannah, 32, 48, 110, 111
Savannah, 32, 110
Savary, Commod. Daniel, 343, 344, 351
Saville, Capt. John Griffin, 454 n., 455
Savona, 385, 386, 416, 418
Savoy, 287
Sawyer, Capt. Charles, 247 n., 250, 280,
494
Sawyer, Admiral Herbert (1), 191
Sawyer, Admiral Sir Herbert (2), 389 n.
Saxton, Capt. Sir Ch;irles, 50, 94, 151
Sayer, Capt. George (2), 349
Scarborough, 36
Scarborough, 58, 111, C65 n.
Sceptre, 84, 95 and n., 115, 180, 251, 295
n., 550
Scevola, 255 n., 298 n., 301, 304 n., 485,
555
Schanck, Admiral John, 152
Scharhorn Riff, 519
Scheveningen, 327
Schiermonnikoog, 522, 523
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
615
Schomberg, Capt. Sir Charles Marsh, 369 n.,
370 n.
Schomberg, Capt. Isaac, 226, 240
Schomberg, Isaac, as a historian, 95, 96,
183
Schoonkoop, 70
Schutter, Com. J. D., 410
Stilly Islands, 11, 61, 201, 486, 553, 554,
555
Scipio, 291 n., 333 n., 566
Scipion, 89, 90, 99, 115, 204 n., 226, 227,
236, 254, 548, 552, 553, 555
Scorpion, 110
Scotland, 11, 12, 35, 47, 100, 188, 189, 338
Scott, V.-Ad. Sir George (1>, 454 n., 455
Scott, Lieut. James (In), 551
Scott, V.-Ad. Matthew Henry, 247 n., 249.
548
Scott, a seaman, Thomas, 184
Scott, Judge of the Admiralty Court, Sir
William (later Lord Stowell), 163, 165,
166
Scourge, 475, 548, 554
Scout, 203 n., 494, 548, 551 (2)
Scurvy, 119, 120, 122, 125, 128, 129, 130,
134, 148, 149
Sea Fencibles, 186
Seaflower, 247 n.
Seaford, 47 n.
Seaforth Highlanders, 25
Seahorse, 19, 76, 321, 322, 324, 373 and n.,
390, 391, 510, 546, 555, 556, 560
Seals, 567
Seamen, 170
Sea Power, Influence of, 472
Search, American order to resist, 165
Search, the Eight of, 47, 101, 165, 166, 426,
427, 529
Searle, R.-Ad. John Clarke, 293, 454 n., 503
and n., 550, 558
Searle, E.-Ad. Thomas, 522
Sealer, Capt. John, 426 n.
Seaton, Lieut. George, 548
Seavers, Lieut. Jeremiah, 341 n.
Secondee, Port, 69
Seduisant, 298 n., 299, 304 n., 555
Segond, Capt. A. J., 344, 350 and n.
Seine, 154, 225, 486, 502, 511, 533, 546,
548, 555, 557
Selby, Com. George, 110
Selby, Capt. William, 309 n., 321
Selkirk, Dunbar, 4th Earl of, 12
Semaphore, The, 186
Semillante, 90, 201 n., 344, 346, 349, 351,
476, 522
Senden, Capt. W. H. van, 410
Senegal, 24
Senegal, 18, 109, 114
Senegal, 58, 535, 557
Senez, Capt. A., 343
Senhouse, Com. William Wood, 412
Sensible, 27 n., 109, 510, 511, 551, 555
Sepoys, 76
Sept Isles, 530
Sequestration of British property by Russia,
427
Serapis, 35-39, 97, 93, 110, 113, 175 n.,518
Sei-cey, R.-Ad. P.C.C.G., 200, 201, 202 and
n., 297, 494, 502, 503, 506, 520, 546
Serieuse, 278, 357, 361 and n., 362 and n.,
556
Serle, Mr. Ambrose, 152
Serocold, Cora. Walter, 208, 244, 245, 548
Serpent, 57, 197 n.
Servants, Officers', 157, 159, 160
Servants, Shipwrights', 187
Severn, 555
Seychelles Islands, 541, 558
Seyd, Mustapha Pasha, 404
Seymour, Mids. Thomas, 369
Seymour (formerly Hon. Hugh Seymour
Conway), V.-Ad. Lord Hugh, 182, 193,
203 n., 226, 260 n., 265, 379, 380, 412,
414, 556, 559
Seymour, R.-Ad. Sir Michael (1), 230 n.,
231 n., 551, 556
Seymour, Com. Stephen, 549
Seymour Street, London, 121
Shaggaramus Bay, 333 n.
Shannon, 408 n.
Shannon, River, 302, 549
Shark, 111, 168, 548
Shaw, Lieut. Charles (1), 524 u.
Sheerness, 100, 151, 152, 173, 174, 175, 176,
186, 516
Sheils, Lieut. Ludlow, 212
Shelanagig, 111
Shells, 320, 377, 389, 401, 403, 433, 445
Shepard, V.-Ad. James Keith, 111
Sheriff, Master D , 551
Sheriff, Com. John, 149 n.
Shetland Islands, 548, 551, 553
Shield, Admiral William, 246, 274 n.
Shingles, The, 551
Shippard, R.-Ad. Alexander, 548
Ships, number of effective ships in Navy,
153, 198
Ships, Some typical, 154
Shipwrights, 83 n., 187
Shirley, Capt. James, 109
Shirley, Capt. Thomas (1), 79
Shooter's Hill, 186
Short, Lieut. John Ides, 550
Shottenden, 186
Shuldham, Admiral Molyneux, Lord, 191
Shute's Folly, 48
Sibyl, 61
Sibylle, 89, 90, 92, 93, 115, 486, 509, 520-
522, 541 and n., 543 n., 545, 546, 553,
556, 558, 560
Sicilies, The Two, 200, 287
Sicily, 208, 289; 353, 354, 390, 391, 399,
400, 418, 450, 548, 550, 555
Sick-quarter tickets. 159
Sierra Leone, 251, 510
Sieyes, Emmanuel Joseph, 413
616
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Signals, 7, 8, 61, 93, 228 n., 427 n.
Signal Towers, 186
Sillans, Captain dc, 81 and n., 82
Simmonds, Lieut. Richard, 112
Simmonds, Lieut. Robert, 377 n.
Simonosaki, 367 n.
Simon's Bay, 281, 295
Simon's Town, 281
Simonton, Captain Robert, 59, 111
Simpson, U.S.N., Capt, , 113
Sims (Mar.), Lieut. William, 171
Sincere, 204 n., 552
Sinclair, (Mar.) Lieut. James, 518 n., 540 n.
Sinclair, Capt. Patrick, 251, 481, 552 (2)
Sinclair, Com. Hon. Matthew, 551
Sir Charles Saunders Island, 120
Siren, 109, 111, 412, 492
Sirena, 418
Sirene, 293, 298 n., 529, 549, 553
Sirene, 295 n., 559
Sinus, 516, 517, 536, 557, 559, 565 and n.
Sjoelland, 431 n., 561
Skelton, Lieut. Jeremiah, 446 n.
Skipsey, R.-Ad. William, 557
Skyuner, Capt. Lancelot (2), 408 n., 550,
554
Sligo Bay, 351
Small-pox, 143
Smith, Com. Charles (2), 548
Smith, Admiral Edward Tyrrel, 195
Smith, Lieut. Francis, 558
Smith, Capt. Isaac, 198 n.
Smith, Capt. John (3), 408 n.
Smith, Capt. John Samuel, 198 n.
Smith, Capt. Matthew (1), 282, 487, 488,
548
Smith, Capt. Matthew (2), 534
Smith, Capt. Richard, 109
Smith, Lieut. R , 247 n.
Smith (Mai.), Capt. Walter, 228 : (Lt.-Col.),
456
Smith, Capt. William (1), 16, 109
Smith, Capt. William (2), 267
Smith, Admiral Sir William Sidney, 209,
210, 252-254, 340, 401-404 and n., 406,
423 and n., 424, 454 n., 455, 456, 457,
486, 487, 493, 494, 495, 496, 554 (2),
556 (8)
Smith, Lieut. , 551
Smith, Mids. , 179
Smollett, the novelist, 103 n.
Smugglers, 46
Smyrna, 209, 279, 548
Smyth, Com. James, 65, 66, 111
Snake, 70, 111
Sueyd, Lieut. Edward, 109
Sneyd, Lieut. Ralph, 331
Soberano, 309 u.
Sobriel, Lieut. John, 331
Society Islands, 119, 126, 131, 133
Sohesten, 431 n., 561
Solander, the naturalist, Dr., 124, 125
Solano, R.-Ad., 286
Soldiers on ship board, 183, 184, 244
Solebay, 75, 111, 112, 247 n., 250, 528, 529,
557
Solen, Capt. E. J. N., 357, 422
Solitaire, 90, 91, 115
Sol way Firth, 100
Somerset, 3, 110
Somerville, Capt. Philip (1), 445, 446
Sophie, 89
Sorondo, Capt. Don G., 333 u.
Sotheby, Admiral Thomas, 290, 415, 549,
551
Sotheron, Admiral Frank, 203 n., 408 n.
Sound, The, 427, 428
Souris, 555
Souter, Com., 326, 329
Southampton, 122, 408
Southampton, 55, 70 and n., 226, 277, 309
n., 494 and n., 499, 554, 560
South Carolina, 91, 109, 113
South Carolina, 91 n., 113
South Georgia, 134
South Sand Head, 111
South Seas : see Pacific Ocean
South, or Stewart Island, New Zealand, 126
Southey, Com. Thomas, 337, 439
Southey quoted, 435 n., 436 n.
Souverain, 204 n.
Souverain Peuple, 204 n., 556
Spain, 3, 107, 200, 287, 296, 338, 458, 471,
472, 552
Spain, Coast of, 64, 67, 288 n., 354, 520,
538, 540
" Spanish Armament," The, of 1770, 3 ; of
1790, 107, 108
Spanish losses, 115, 560, 561
Spanish Navy, Value of the, 98
Sparkes, Lieut. John Hindes, 247 n.
Sparkler, 159
Sparman, the botanist, Mr., 130
Sparrow, R.N., Mr. Benjamin, 300
Spartiate, 357, 362, 364, 373 n., 377, 556
Speculator, 326
Speedy, 85, 203 n., 213, 277, 284, 285, 459
and n., 509, 528, 538, 539, 548, 551, 553,
561 (2)
Spencer, 449, 460, 461, 462, 464, 466 n.,
467, 468, 469, 497, 498, 554
Spencer (Mar.), Lieut. Benjamin, 439
Spencer, George John, 2nd Earl, 150, 169,
420 n.
Spencer Gulf, 568
Sptzzia, 213, 273
Sphinx, 31 and n., 97, 110, 114, 295 n.,
296
Spider, 549
Spies, 55 n.
Spilsby, 568
Spirits, 103
Spiteful, 247 n.
Spitfire, 304 n., 548, 555, 556
Spithead, 102, 106, 112, 122, 134, 167 and
n., 170, 171, 172, 177. 180, 181,237,239,
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
617
240, 255, 256, 260, 267, 283, 291 u., 292,
300 11., 304, 491, 548, 568, 569
Spitzbergen, 136
Spranger, R.-Ad. John William, 280 n., 281,
296
Spread, Com. John Mathias, 561
Sprightly, 109, 448, 551
Spry (previously Davy), Admiral Thomas
(1), 193
Spy, 109, 553
Squire, R.-Ad. Matthew, 20, 51, 194
Stackpoole, Capt. Hassard, 454 n., 551
Stay, 29, 385, 424, 493 and n., 517, 551,
556, 558
Staines, Capt. Sir Thomas, 103 n., 106
Staiths, 123
Standard, 174 and n., 175, 260, 266 n.
Standelet, Capt. P. J., 357
Stanhope, Admiral the Hon. Sir Henry
Edwyn, 38, 195, 295 n.
Stanhope, R.-Ad. John, 193
Stanhope, Lieut. M , 112
Stanislas, 52, 100
Stanley, 18, 109
Stap, Capt. William, 548
Stapledon, Com. Arthur, 464
Stapleton, 185 n.
Star, 281
Start, The, 552
Stately, 167 n., 280 u., 281, 295 n., 440 n.,
452, 454 n.
Staten Generaal, 326, 329
Stateu Island, S. America, 133
Stephens, R.-Ad. George Hopewell, 180
Stephens, Admiral Philip : see Wilkinson,
Admiral Philip
Stephens, Sir Philip, 123, 150, 563
Stephenson, Midshipman John, 321
Stephenson, Capt. Thomas, 373 n.
Ster, 558
Stem, Anchoring by the, 360, 433, 460
Steuart, Captain Don Jacob, 505
Stevenson, Capt. James (1), 415, 454 n.,
455, 457
Steward, Midshipman , 464
Stewards, Master M., 59
Stewart, Master George, 232
Stewart, Midshipman George, 102, 104 n.,
105
Stewart, Capt. John, 454 n.
Stewart, V.-Ad. the Hon. Keith (1), 191
Stewart, Colonel, 428
Stewart, Master Robert, 439
Stewart, or South Island, New Zealand,
126
Stiles, Capt. John, 210, 245, 404 n.
Stirling, V.-Ad. Charles (1), 75, 111, 267,
336, 460, 511, 550, 555 (2)
Stirling Castle, 47, 57, 58, 111, 114
Stocker, Lieut. Charles Maurice, 264
Stockfish, 105
Stoddart, Secretary of U.S. Navy, Mr.
Benjamin, 165
Stoney, Capt. Georje, 115
Stopford, Admiral the Hon. Sir Robert, 197
n., 203 n., 226, 255 n., 509, 525, 553,
554, 556
Storij, V.-Ad. Samuel, 326, 329, 407, 409,
410, 411
Storming : of Omoa, 45 ; of Mt. Pleasant,
49 ; of Fort Oostenburg, 76 : of Conven-
tion Redoubt, 243 ; of Fort Louis, 248
Stormont, 77, 112
Storms, 17, 19, 23 n., 57, 58, 67, 73, 88, 93,
110, 111, 114, 131, 140, 208, 251, 260,
267, 279, 289, 292, 295, 300 n., 301; 330,
352, 384, 423, 428, 450, 468, 512, 519,
525 553
Stott, Capt. John, 3, 18, 19, 110
Stoves, 128, 134
Stovin, Com. George Samuel, 551
Strachan, Admiral Sir Richard John, 198
n., 237 n., 340, 385, 414, 424, 483, 492,
534, 552, 553, 555
Strength of the Navy, 153
Strombdi, 321, 560
Stromness, 143
Strong, the navigator, Capt., 118
Strong Point, 26
Stuart, General the Hon. Sir Charles, 377,
378
Stuart, R.-Ad. Henry, 405, 406
Stuart, Col. James, 282, 294
Stuart, Capt. Lord William, 449, 558
Succes, 450, 451 and n., 558
Success, 77 and n., 78, 79, 115, 381, 418,
419, 422, 448, 450, 522, 551, 557, 558
Suchet, General, 418
Suckling, Lieut. Maurice W , 284,
341 n.
Suez, 405, 424 n., 457
Suffisant, 204 n., 552
Suffisaiite, 493, 498 n., 554
Suffolk, 47, 114, 216, 281, 294 n.
Sufren, 298 n., 304 n., 555
Sugar, 105
Sulphur, 389 n., 430
Sultan, The, 374, 400, 404 n.
Sumatra, 112, 502, 512
Sunda, Strait of, 553
Superannuation of officers, 157, 158, 188
Superb, 77, 112, 387 n., 460, 465, 466 and
u., 467 and n., 468
Superbe, 83 n., 254, 494, 553, 554
Superucda, Conde de, 121
Supplies : see Expenditure
Sup2)ly, 110, 564, 565 and n.
Surcouf, Robert, 534 and n.
Surgeons, 157, 158
Surinam, 412, 413, 472, 556, 559
Surinam, 413, 556
Surprise, 4, 113, 183, 496, 527, 528, 554,
561
Surridge, V.-Ad. Thomas, 405, 457, 552
Surveillante, 30, 40-44, 62, 69, 110, 298 n.,
304 n., 555
618
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Surveying : see Chaps. XXXIII. and
XXXVII. passim
Surveyors of the Navy, 151
Surville, Capt., 134
Sussex, coast of, 111
Sutherland, Capt. Andrew, 152, 203 n.
Sutton, Capt. Evelyn, 31 n., 59 and n., 162,
163
Sutton, Admiral Sir John, 203 n., 269 n.,
274 n., 309 n., 554
Sutton, Capt. Robert Manners, 31, 110, 203
n., 212 n., 243, 548
Sutton, E.-Ad. Samuel, 430
Suwarroff, Marshal Count Alexander, 391
Svcerdfisken, 431 n., 561
Swaine, Capt. Spelman, 149 n.
Swallow, 109, 111, 120-122, 209
Swan, 112, 174 and n., 198 n.
Swanscombe, 186
Sweden, 200, 426, 427, 428, 440, 441, 442
and n., 470, 472, 509, 533, 535
Sweeps, 73
Swift, 2, 85, 109, 154, 294 n., 549
Swiftsure, 293, 356, 357, 359 n., 360, 361,
363, 365, 366, 367, 370 n., 372, 373, 377
and n., 390, 401, 402 n., 453 and n., 454
n., 484, 485, 530, 551, 553, 556
Swilly, Lough, 345, 346, 348
Swin, The, 549
Swiney, Admiral William (1), 48, 194
Swiney, Lieut. William (2), 454 n., 515
and n.
Swinger, 379
Swivels, 12
Swords of honour, 239, 332
Sydney, 127, 565
Sykes, Admiral John (1), 149 n.
Sykes, Nelson's coxswain, John, 321
Sylph, 63, 77, 89, 112, 345, 389 n., 502,
507, 508, 540, 555, 556, 558, 560
Symonds, Coin. Jermyn John, 549
S37monds, Capt. Thomas, 75, 111
Symons, V.-Ad. John, 109, 192
Symons, Lieut. William Joseph, 343
Syracuse, 355, 356 n., 422
Syria, 400, 522, 550, 556
TABLE BAY, 107, 134. 180, 281, 550
Tagus, Kiver, 290, 305, 324, 387 n., 458,
549
Tahiti, 104, 105, 120, 122, 124, 125, 129,
131, 132, 137, 138, 144, 145, 367 n.. 562,
566
Tahourdin, Capt. William, 77, 112
Taillard, Lieut, 56
Talbot, Admiral the Hon. Sir John, 340
Talla Piedra, 115
Tamar, or Tamer, 2, 118, 119, 334, 412,
523, 556
Tamarinds, 105
Tamise, 226, 498, 545, 554
Tancredi, 207, 269 n., 272
Tangier, 290
Tanna, 133
Tapageur, 110
Tarade, Lieut, de, 23
Tardy, Capt., 226
Tarleton, 204 n., 268, 269 n., 273, 552
Tartans, 213
Tartar, 5, 46 and n., 57, 115, 154, 203 n.,
277, 549
Tartarus, 341 n., 342, 454 n., 455
Tartary, Gulf of, 563, 564
Tartu, Capt., 480, 481 n.
Tartu (see also Torlue), 481 u., 506 and n.
Tasman, the navigator, 131
Tasmania (see also Van Diemen's Land),
103, 567, 568
Tate (Russian Navy), Admiral, 279 n.
Tatham, Capt. Sandford, 247 n., 248
Tathwell, Com. Joseph, 109
Taunton River, 13
Taurauga, 126
Taylor, Capt. Bridges Watkinson, 515 and
'n., 551
Taylor, Seaman John, 376
Taylor, Mids. John George, 369
Taylor, Admiral Thomas (2), 194, 278
Taylor, Mids., 568
Taylor, Admiral William, 203 n.
Teazer, 247 n., 379
Telegraphs, Admiralty, 186
Telegraph, 385, 551, 556
Tellicherry, 112
Temeraire, 84, 115, 181,216, 225, 226, 230,
254, 553
Temple, in Paris, The, 496
Temple, Capt. John, 284 and n., 549
Tenerife, 102, 321 and n., 322-324, 512,
545, 555
Termagant, 557
Ternate, 471, 472
Ttrnate, 559
Terpsichore, 174 n., 247 n., 250, 319, 320,
322, 351, 352, 354, 426 n., 50i, 505, 555,
560 (2)
Terrible, 111, 168 n., 203 n., 223, 226, 227,
230, 235, 269 n., 272, 274 n., 277, 307,
309 n., 351, 387 n., 414
Terror, 321, 333 n., 430
Tetuan, 381, 383, 387, 551
Texel, The, 39, 279, 283, 294, 325, 326,
327, 338, 407, 408, 410, 411, 493, 498,
516, 550, 554, 558, 559
Texel, 559
Thalia, 260 n., 304 n., 490, 553, 555
Thames, River, 123, 124, 136, 149, 154
Thames, 415, 449, 460, 466 and n., 467,
468, 469, 480, 481, 495, 548, 554, 557
Themistode, 204 n., 210, 552
Tfierese, 531, 557
Theseus, 237 n., 321, 322, 324, 357, 361,
362 and n., 364 and n., 368, 369 and n.,
400, 402, 403, 404
Thesiger, Capt. Sir Frederick, 279 n., 437
and n., 438
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
619
Thetis, 25, 55, 111, 160 n., 291 and n.,
454 n., 492, 525, 526, 553, 558, 560
Thevenard, Capt. Henri Alexandra (1), 294,
298 n.
Thevenard, Capt, Henri Alexandre (2), 357,
370, 487
Thicknesse, Com. John, 528 n., 550
Thiers, M. Adolphe, cited, 236 n.
Thisbe, 415, 454 n.
Thistle, Master John, 568
Thistle Island, 568
Tholen, 558
Thomas, Capt. Guillaume, 294
Thomas, Lieut. George (1), 456
Thomas, Admiral John, 69. 194
Thomas, Com. William, 111
Thomond, Murrough, Marquis of, 513 n.
Thompson, Lieut. Andrew, 317
Thompson, V.-Ad. Sir Charles (1), 31,
114, 192, 247 n., 248, 250, 283, 309
n., 320, 336, 380
Thompson, Lieut. Charles (2), 451
Thompson, Capt. Edward, 101 n.
Thompson, Com. John (1), 303 and n.
Thompson, V.-Ad. Norborne, 341 n.
Thompson, Lieut. Morris, 112
Thompson, V.-Ad. Sir Thomas Boulden,
160, 161, 322, 324, 357, 363, 385, 430,
439, 513-516, 550
Thompson, U.S.N., Capt. Thomas, 7, 8
Thorn, 110, 333 and n., 492, 553
Thornbrough, Admiral Sir Edward, 112,
195, 201, 226, 260, 266 n., 346
Thorpe, Lieut. George, 323, 324
Thouars, Capt. A. A. Dupetit, 357, 367
and n., 370
Thouars, V.-Ad. Abel Dupetit, 367 n.
Thouars, R.-Ad. Abel Dupetit (2), 367 n.
Thitkn, 558
Thunder, 18, 109, 111, 320, 321
Thunderer, 47 n., 57, 111, 218, 219, 220,
226, 227, 260, 266 u., 334 n., 555
Thurn, Count, 397
Thwaites, Com. Richard, 413
Tiber, Uiver, 399
Tiburon, 250, 251, 335
Tickets, Pay., 156
Tickler, 112, 247 n., 379, 428
Tidal wave, 121
Tides, 134
Tierra del Fuego, 128, 133
Tigre, 201 n., 216, 241, 255 n., 262, 263,
264, 401, 402, 404, 406, 423, 45i n., 553,
557
Tigress, 76
Tilbury, 173
Tiller, Lieut. Jonah, 428 and n., 551
Tilly, Capt, de, 18, 27
Tilly, Capt. Le Gardeur de, 62
Timoleon, 204 n., 357, 368, 309, 555
Timor, 104, 144
Tindall, Lieut. William, 439
Tindall, Mids. J— P— , 331
Tinian, 119, 121
Tinkler, Com. Robert, 102, 430
Tinsley, Com. Francis, 110
Tiphaigne, Capt., 226
Tippoo Sahib, 297
Tiriobu, King of Hawaii, 140
Tisiphone, 203 n., 278
Tobago,- 213, 472
Todd, Capt. Andrew, 294, 295 n., 296,
415, 416 and n., 418, 550
Tokio, 563
Tolfa, 399
Torn, Capt. Robert Brown, 430
Tom Thumb, 566 and n.
Tone, Wolfe, 347 n.
Tong, 186
Tongatabu, 131
Tonnage of the Navy, 153
Tunnant, 17 n., 204 n., 271, 357, 363,
364 n., 366 and n., 367, 368, 369, 370,
373 n., 422, 555
Tooley, Mids. Robert, 321
Topaze, 204 n., 502, 552
Topete, Capt. Don R., 466 n.
Torbay, 29, 201, 241, 254
Torbay, 89, 90, 115, 304
Tormentor, 247 n.
Torres, Don Luis Vaez, 128
Torres Strait, 105, 128, 569, 570
Torride, 376, 402, 550, 556 (2)
Torrington, Viscount (see Byng, V.-Ad.
George (2))
Tortoise, 110
Tortola, 112
Tortona, 418
Toriwe (see also Tartu), 298 n., 304 n.,
481 n., 506 n., 555
Tortuga, 57
Tory Island, 346
Totty, R.-Acl. Thomas, 195, 334, 427 n.,
551, 555
Touches, R -Ad. Des, 62
Toulon, 25, 154, 201, 202-213, 243, 244,
245, 246, 252, 254, 255, 267, 269, 273,
277, 278, 279, 283, 286, 287, 288, 289,
290, 297, 300 u., 324, 339, 351, 352, 353,
354, 356 n., 375, 382 and n., 384, 385,
386 and n., 393, 394, 399, 415, 418, 419,
422, 447, 448, 449, 450, 453, 455, 459,
482, 499, 510, 548, 552, 557
Tourtelet, Capt., 497
Tourterelle, 490, 491, 553
Tour mile, 201 n., 226, 231, 298 n.
Tovey (? rail.), Capt, 96 n.
To wry, Capt. George Henry, 203 n., 246,
284, 309 n., 389 n., 492, 493 and n., 553
Toivzer, 379
Trade, Increase in war time of British, 473
and n.
Trafalgar, 444 n., 453 n.
Trajan, 216, 225, 226, 229, 230, 298 n.
Transit of Venus, 122, 123, 125
Transport Commissioners, 152
620
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Travers, and his charity, Mr. Samuel, 158
Treason, 108, 179, 180
Treasure ships, 44, 45, 507, 525, 526
Treasurers of the Navy, 150
Treaty : of France with America, 16 ; of
America with Holland, 57; of Madrid,
286 ; of Campo Formio, 324 ; with
Sweden, 442 ; of Luneville, 444, 458 ; of
Amiens, 452 ; of Badajos, 458 ; of Madrid
(1801), 470 ; of Amiens, 471-473.
Treguier, 554
Trehouart, Captain Pierre Julien, 214, 487
Trekroner Forts, oft' Copenhagen, 430, 432 n.,
433 and" n., 434, 430, 436, 437, 438, 440
Trekroner, 431 n
Tremendous, 180, 226,228, 231, 295 n.,529,
557
Trent, 159, 538
Trente-et-Un-Mai, 204 n., 225, 226
Trepassey, 65, 66, 98, 111, 198 n.
Tresahar, Lieut. John, 549
Treslong, R.-Ad. Johan Arnold Bloijs van,
326, 329
Tres Marias Islands, 148
Treville, V.-Ad. Rene Madeleine Le Vassor
de La Touche, 71, 87, 89, 444 and n.
Trial, 342, 343
Triangles, The, 551
Tribune, 335, 498, 499, 549, 554
Tricolor, The French, 190, 215
7) icolor, 204 n., 552
Trident, 57, 58, 295 n.
Trigge, Capt. John, 203 n.
Trigge, Lieut.-Genl. fc'ir Thomas, 413, 470,
and n.
Trincomale, 76, 114, 282, 548
Trincomale, 525, 550, 556
Trinidad, 333, 334, 472, 551, 560
Triomphant, 203 n., 552.
Tripoli, 450 n.
Tripp, Capt. George, 550
Triton, 21, 94, 197 n., 507, 508, 525, 526,
556, 557, 560
Trium/h, 255 n., 256, 257, 258, 326, 329,
331, 387 n.
Tiogoff, R.-Ad. Comte de, 204, 205 and n.
Trois Couleurs, 499, 554
Trois Rivieres, Guadeloupe, 535
Trollope, Capu. George Barne, 331
Trollope, Admiral (-ir Henry (1), 86, 115,
195, 283, 325, 326, 327, 332, 501
Tromp (and Maarten Harpertiz Tramp),
76, 154, 295 n.
Trompeuse, 549, 550, 552
Trondhjem, 554
Tronjoly, Commod., 19
Trotten, Com. Richard, 51
Troubridge, R.-Ad. Sir Thomas, 19, 42.
103 n., 167, 182, 203 n., 217, 240
274 n., 279, 290, 309 n., 310, 318, 322
323, 355, 357, 363, 373, 374, 386, 3KO
395, 396, 399 and n., 400, 401, 420, 444
485, 548, 568
Troude, R.-Ad. Aimable Gilles, 466 n.,
469 and n.
Troude, the historian, quoted, 16 n., 17 n.,
22 and n., 25, 27, 43, 57, 70, 85, 90, 95,
96, 469 n., 515 and n., 520, 525, 539
True Briton, 110
True Love, collier, 123
1'ruguet, Ar.-Ad. Laurent Jean Francois,
297, 370 n.
rrullet, Capt. J. F. T. (1), 357
I'rullet, Capt. J. F. T. (2), 357
Trumbull, 72, 73, 97, 98, 113
Truscott, Com. Francis, 466 n.
Truscott, R.-Ad. William, 193, 237 n.
Trussell, Lieut. George, 158
Trusty, 197 n., 213, 454 n., 487
Tubuai Island, 104, 138
Tucker, Com. Tudor, 549
Tucker, Mr. Benjamin, 151
Tucker, U.S.N., Capt. — , 113
Tucket, Mids. Hon. George, 439
Tullidge, Com. R., 112
Tunis, 284, 554
Tupia, the Tahitan, 125, 129
Tupper, Lieut. Gary, 245
Tupper, Lieut. Charles, 210
Turin, 418
Turkey, 352, 371, 373, 375, 377, 379, 389,
390, 393, 394, 400, 403, 404, 406, 423,
454, 455, 456, 457, 458, 472, 516, 556,
558
Turk's Island, 95, 115
Turner, Com. Joseph, 278
Turner, Lieut. John (1), 464
Turnor, Capt. John, 295 n.
Turquand, Com. William James, 349 and
n., 530, 551
Tuscany, 285, 339, 354, 389, 415, 450,
452
Twysden, Capt. Thomas, 349, 525, 548
Tybee Island, 32
Tyler, Admiral Sir Charles (1), 203 n.,
269 n., 274 n., 431, 549, 555
Tyne, River, 35
Typing, or Myako-sima, 564
Tyrannicide, 113, 223, 226, 227 n., 255,
447 n.
Tyrason, Capt. Don Miguel, 321
Tyrrel, Lieut. Edward, 198 n., 548
UADIDI, the Bolabolan, 131, 133
Uliatea Island, 131, 133, 139
Ulysses, 58, 69 and n., 70, 247 n., 377 n.
Undaunted, 204 n., 247 n., 248, 291 n., 549,
552 (2), 559
Unicorn, 20 and n., 21, 25, 57, 63 n, 97,
110, 113, 302, 304 n., 389 n., 498, 499,
545, 554, 555, 558
Unie, 409, 559
Uniform, Naval, 182
Union, 209, 548
Union Flag, The, 188-11:0, 222, 426
Union of Great Britain and Ireland, 426
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
621
Unite, 154, 213, 412, 495, 496 (2) and n.,
548, 554 (2), 555
United States of America, 473
Uppleby, Capt. Samuel, 17, 111
Upton, Capt. Clotworthy, 430
Urania, 481 n., 506
Uranie, 389 n., 480, 481, 539, 558
Urea, Cargadora, 560
Urchin, 551
Urtesebal, Capt. Don M., 333 n.
Ushakoff, V.-Ad. F. F., 375 and n.
Ushant, Cape, 24, 40, 53, 55, 110, 114, 216,
237, 256, 298, 300 and n., 302, 304,
336 n., 367 n., 380, 414, 482, 550, 552-
556
Utile, 499, 551, 554
Utrecht, 410, 559
VADO BAY, 277, 284, 385 and n., 386, 558
Vaillant, 554
Vaillant, Capt. Isaac, 111
Vaillante, 504, 513, 550, 556
Valence, Town and Bay, 273, 389 n.
Valetta, 374, 418, 419, 421, 422, 423, 557
Valeur, 25, 114
Valiant, 47 n., 60, 222, 226, 227, 230, 234,
260 n., 26 1,334 n., 555
Valiente, 560
VaJk, 409, 559 (2)
Valkenburg, Com. Jan, 295 n.
Valkyrien, 431 n., 433, 561
Valle, Admiral de, 241
Vallongue, Capt. de, 87
Valparaiso, 148, 149
Valteau, Capt., 501
Vancouver, Capt. George, 130, 138, 145-
149, 562, 568, 571
Vancouver's Island, 107, 139, 146, 149
Vandangel, Capt., 220
Vandeput, Admiral George, 192, 290, 335,
379, 414
Van Diemen's Land, or Tasmania, 131, 138
Vandongen, Capt., 476
Vanguard, 73, 250, 351, 352 n., 353, 357,
361, 362, 364, 369 and n., 372, 373, 374,
375, 390, 391, 494, 546, 553, 554
Vanneau, 549, 552
Vansittart, The Hon. Nicholas, 428
Vansittart, V.-Ad. Henry, 561
Vanstabel, R.-Ad. Pierre Jean, 201 and n.,
202, 215, 216, 217, 221, 237, 239
Van Tramp, 559
Varborg, 428, 551
Variants, 495 n.
Vasco da Gama, 255 n.
Vashon, Admiral James, 203 n.
Vashon, Capt. James Giles, 562, 563, 564
andn., 571
Vassall, Com. Nathaniel, 369
Vaubois, Genl., 353, 356, 374, 418, 419,
420, 422, 423
Vautour, 298 n., 447 n., 466 n., 506
Vedette, 557
Vegetables, 169, 171
Vefosa Aragonesa, 560
Veloz, 561
Vence, ll.-Ad. Jean Gaspar, 255 and n.,
256
Vendeens refuse to fight for France, 496
Venerable, 173, 324, 326, 329, 331, 388,
389 n., 460, 461, 462, 463, 464, 465,
466 n., 467, 468, 469
Venereal diseases, 158
Vengeance, 33, 35, 47, 58, 247 n., 250,
333 n., 502 (2), 506, 522, 523, 533, 546,
557
Vengeur and Vengeur du Peuple, 226, 228,
231, 232, 233, 234, 235, 236 and n., 242,
252, 483, 496, 528 and n., 552 (2), 553,
557
Venice, 324, 338, 356 n., 375 n., 558
Venturier, 555
Venus, 58, 217, 226, 291, 409, 476, 559
Venus, 343, 351, 534, 557
Venus, Transit of, 122, 123, 125
Vera Cruz, 562
Verde, Ma, 461, 462, 463
Verdooren, Capt. G., 326
Vernon, Admiral Sir Edward (2), 114, 191
Femora, 71, 72, 77 and n., 78, 79, 247 n.
Verplanks Point, 26
Vertu, 502, 503, 510, 512
VerwacMing, 409, 559
Vestal, 57, 89, 109, 174 n., 175, 341 n., 417,
453, 454 n., 493, 555, 558
Vestale, 268, 270, 494, 504, 505, 523, 545,
549, 555, 556
Vesuve, 341 n., 343, 553
Vesuvius, 247 n., 342, 343
Veteran, 247 n., 248, 250, 326, 331, 408 n.,
410, 431, 435 n.
Vice-Admiral of England, 222
Vickers, Lieut. L , 111
Victoire, 25, 204 n., 270, 271, 277, 286
Victor, 6, 58, 110, 408 n., 410, 541, 542,
558
Victorieuse, 333 and n., 454 n., 457, 493,
517, 552, 554
Victorious, 280 n., 502, 503
Victory, 14, 203 n., 204, 205, 245, 246, 274
and n., 275, 276, 277, 279, 308 n., 309
and n., 311, 312, 314, 316, 321
Victualling Yard, 187
Vigie, St. Lucia, 293
Viyilant, 4, 32, 110, 341 n.
Vigilante, 548, 554 (2)
Vi'gny, Capt. de, 86
Vigo Bay, 551, 561
Vilaine, River, 447
Vilettes, Lieut.-Col., 244
Villa Nova, 83 n.
Villa Vieja, Tower of, 461
Villaret-Joyeuse, V.-Ad. Louis Thomas,
95, 215 and n., 216-239 252, 255 and
622
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
n., 256, 259, 260, 2G1, 264, 266, 297, 380
n., 488
Ville de Urient, 298 n., 304 n., 555
Ville de Marseille, 418, 419, 557
Ville de Paris, 87, 88, 112, 114, 154, 177,
321, 384 and n., 385, 414 n.
Ville Tranche or Villa Franca, 212, 243
Villeneuve, Gipt. Jean, 357, 422, 516
Villeneuve, V.-Ad. P. C. J. B. S., 289,
297 and n., 300 n., 353, 357, 308, 372,
374, 423, 514
Villeon, Capt. P., 483
Vimel, Lieut., 447 n.
Vincejo, 452, 557, 560
Vincent, Admiral Nicholas, 10, 113, 191
Vindictive, 295 n., 559
Viper, 110, 532, 557
Vipere, 548, 549, 552
Virginia, 4, 549
Virginia, 28, 48, 113 '
Virginie, 254, 255 n., 257, 496, 497, 554,
559
Vitre, Lieut. John Denis de, 341 n.
Vivo, 561
Vizagapatam, 555
Vlieland, 550, 559
Vlieter, The, 409, 410, 559
Vlieter, 410, 559
Vhii/heid, 493, 558
Votcan, 446, 497, 498, 554
Volcano, 389 n., 430
I'olontaire, 486, 553
Voltigeur, 298 n.
Volunteers, 159, 160 n.
Vriesland, 558
Vrijheid, 94, 154, 326, 329 and n., 330, 559
Vrouw Maria, 295 n., 559
Vulcan, 61, 75, 111, 203 n., 209, 548
Vulture, 71 and n , 72
Vyvian (Mar.), Lieut. William, 535 n.
Wwikzaamheid, 326, 516, 517, 559
Wafer, the navigator, 122
Wager, 118
Wages, 50 and n., 51, 72, 159, 169, 170,
172
Waghorn, Capt. Martin, 112
Waikiki Bay, 145, 563
Wakker, 559
Walbeoff, Com. Thomas, 26, 109, 110
Waldeck, Com. J. H., 410
Waldegrave, The Hon. Sir William (1) :
see Radstock, Lord
Wales, the astronomer, Mr., 129, 133
Walker, of Whitby, Messrs., 123
Walker, U.-Ad. James (2), 326, 430
Walker, Capt. Samuel Hood, 111
Walker, Lieut. William, 159
Wallace, Admiral Sir James (1), 20, 25,
32, 53, 65, 110, 114, 192, 214, ^90
Wallace, Com. John, 111
Wallace, the mutineer, 176
Waller, Capt. Edmund, 467 n.
Waller, Capt. Thomas Moutray, 321, 322,
323, 351, 373 n., 385, 530, 531
Wallis, Capt. James (1), 519, 550
Wallis, Quartermaster Henry, 540
Wallis, Admiral of the Meet Sir Provo
William Parry, 161
Wallis, Capt, Samuel, 119-121, 122, 124,
129, 151, 571
Walruses, 139
Walsingham {formerly Boyle), Capt. the
Hon. Robert Boyle, ill, 182
Walter, Master's Mate Peter, 369
War: with France, 16, 143, 197; with
Spain, 143, 286
Ward, Lieut. -Col., 342
Wardlaw, Com. William, 110
Warham, Lieut. Ambrose, 158
Warre, Com. C , 1^9
Warre, Capt. Henry, 494
Warren, Admiral Sir John Borlase, 195,
252, *54, 260, 261, 266 and n., 267, :-!05,
345-351, 424, 425, 448, 449, 450, 451,
452, 453, 459 and n., 483, 486, 495, 502,
507, 508, 509, 531, 552 (2), 553 (3), 554
(5), 555 (5), 556, 557
Warren, Capt. Samuel (1), 7
Warren, Mids. Robert, 540 n.
IVarren, 28, 29, 113
Warrior, 384 n., 4*1
Warwick, 60, 89, 116
AVashington, Genl. George, 75
Washington, 63
Washington, 4, 113, 410, 559
Wasp, 113, 531 n., 550
Wassenaar, 326, 329 and n., 559
Water for ships, 188
Waterfall, 301
Waterford, 100, 112
Waters, Com. John Lawes, 370 n.
Waterspouts, 57
Watkins, Admiral Frederick, 280, 425
Watrin, Genl., 451, 452
Watson, Capt. James (1), 430, 550
Watson, Capt. Joshua Rowley, 549
Watson, V.-Ad. Robert, 493
Watson, Lieut. , 548
Wattignies, 255 n., 262, 298 n.
Watts, Mids. Robert, 324
Weather Gage, The, 222, 223, 276, 511
Weatherhead, Lieut. John, 324
Weazel, 7, 8, 22, 110, 203 n., 550
Webb, Mids. Charles James, 403
Webber, the draftsman, Mr., J 38
Webley (afterwards Parry), William Henry
(s e Parry, R.-Ad. W. H. W.).
Webster, Lieut. Robert, 331
Webster, Master William, 228
Wedgborough, of H.E.I. Co.'s Service, Mr.,
143, 144
Weerwraak, 559
Weight of Metal, Importance of, 96-99,
543, 544
Wellington, New Zealand, 126
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
623
Wells, Admiral Sir John, 112, 326
Wells, V.-Ad. Thomas (1), 111, 274 n., 483
Wells, Capt. William (2), 247 n.
West, Com. Humphrey, 197 n.
West, Admiral Thomas, 19, 110, 195
Westbeach, Com. Joseph, 333 n.
West Capelle, 330
Westcott, Capt. George Blagden, 226, 357,
369 and n., 560
Western, H.-Ad. Thomas, 412, 523, 556
West Florida, 110
West India llegiment, 379
West Indies, 10, 22, 24, 31, 47, 50, 51, 52,
55, 57, 63, 69, 72, 91, 94, 102, 107, 109-
112, 114-116, 119, 144, 145, 166, 174, i
179 n., 181, 200 and n., 201, 202, 215,
246-251, 267, 280, 289, 291 n., 345, 449,
472, 476, 482, 486, 491, 492, 494, 503,
504, 517, 523, 548-554, 557, 560-562, 566
West Square, 186
Wexford, 76
Weymouth, 350 n., 487
Weymouth, 550
Whale fisheries, 493
Wharton, R.-Ad. (retired) Sir William
James Lloyd, the Hydrographer, quoted,
124, 126, 133
Wheate, Capt. Sir Jacob, 112
Whipple, U.S.N., Capt. Abraham, 113
Whiston, Lieut. John, 377 n.
Whitby, 123, 124, 129
Whitby, Capt. John, 198 n., 214, 241, 255 n.
White, Brig.-Genl., 251
White, Capt. Charles, 341 n., 493, 555
White, V.-Ad. Sir John Chambers, 345,
389 n., 449, 452, 502, 508, 556, 558
White (Mar.), Capt. Joseph, 337
White, Capt. Thomas (2), 369 n.
White, Lieut. Thomas (3), 550
White, of H.E.I. Co.'s Service, Mr., 143,
144
White Ensign, The, 362 and n.
Whitehaven, 11, 12, 100
Whitehead, Lieut. Richard, 426 n.
Whitshed (formerly Hawkins), Admiral of
the Fleet Sir James Hawkins, 111, 194,
309 n., 384, 385 n.
Whitter, Com. Hender, 430
Whitter, Com. Tristram, 277
Whittle, Lieut. — , 550
Whitworth, Lord, 427
Whyte, Maj.-Genl. John, 291
Wickes, U.S.N., Capt. Lambert, 113
Wickey, Admiral John, 195
Widows, 157, 158
Wiggerts, Capt. 0., 326
Wight, Isle of, 24, 110, 550, 551
Wild Cat, 27, 110
Wilding, 556
Wilhelmina, 517, 559
Wilkinson, Capt. George, 112
Wilkinson (afterwards Stephens), Admiral
Philip, 389 n.
Wilkinson, Capt. William, 369, 430 •
Wilks, Lieut. Thomas, 439
Willemoes, 439
Willemoes, Lieut., 439 and n.
Willemstad, 281, 558
Willemstadt, 281
William Henry, Admiral of the Fleet Prince,
Duke of Clarence, 191
William Pitt, 483 n., 550
Williams (Mar.), Lieut. James D , 464
Williams, Master John, 468
Williams (Mass. Navy), Capt. John Foster,
113
Williams, R.-Ad. Robert (1), 309 n.
Williams, Admiral Sir Thomas (4), 302,
498, 554, 558, 560
Williams, Capt, William, 19 and n., 110
Williams (afterwards Freeman), Admiral
of the Fleet William Peere, 55, 66, 68,
69, 114, 116, 192
Williamson, Capt. John (1), 138 and n.,
326, 329, 330 and n., 332
Wilmington, 61
Wilmot, Capt. David, 401, 404 and n.
Wilson, Capt. Alexander, 454 n.
Wilson, Admiral George (1), 194, 237 n.,
280, 333 n., 553
Wilson, Com. Henry Smith, 550
Wilson, of H.E.I. Co.'s Service, Henry, 143
Wilson, Com. Thomas (1), 454 n.
Wilson, Com. Thomas Henry, 247 n., 248,
429
Winchelsea, 198 n., 247 u., 248, 250
1 Windham (formerly Lukin), V.-Ad.
William, 415, 557
Windsor, Capt. the Hon. Thomas, 20, 110
Windsor Castle, 167, 168, 203 n., 246,
269 n., 272, 274 n., 277
Windsor, Knights of, 158
Winne, Capt. John, 226
Winter, V.-Ad. J. W. De : see De Winter.
Winthrop, V.-Ad. Robert, 341 n, 408 n.,
409, 424, 549, 551, 554, 559
Winthuysen, Capt. Don F., 64
Wixon, Master's Mate Joseph, 317
Wodehonse, V.-Ad. Hon. Philip, 549
Wolf, 47 n.
Wolley, Capt. Isaac, 250
Wolley, V.-Ad. Thomas, 214, 333 n., 507,
555
WoUeley, Admiral Charles, 166, 191
Wolseley, Admiral William, 77, 112, 203 n.,
212 n., 243, 244, 414
Wolverine, 341 n., 342, 519, 524, 544, 559
Women on board ship, 184
Wood, R.-Ad. Sir James Athol, 333 n.,
549
Woodford, 506
Woodley, Capt. John, 203 n., 212 n,, 243,
549
Wooldridge, Capt. Francis, 110, 558
Wooldridge, Capt. William (1), 460, 540,
550
624
INDEX TO VOLUME IV.
Woolwich, 154
Woolwich, 247 n.
Wort, 128
Worth, Capt. James Andrew, 385 and n.,
556
Wounded men, Treatment of, 160, 170, 171
Wrath, Cape, 35
Wray, Com. Henry, 247 n.
Wrench, Com. Matthew, 210, .549
Wright, Com. John (2), 109
Wright, Capt. John Wesley, 401, 402,
496
Wiirttemberg, The Princess of, 173
YAMES, LIEUT. J , 551
Yarmouth, 10 and n., 113
Yarmouth, Great, 112, 187, 283, 325, 408,
419 n:, 428, 444, 550
Yarmouth Koad, 325
Yaulden, Master's Mate Henry, 439
Yelland. Capt. John, 430
Yellow fever, 523
Yesso Island, 563, 564
Yeu, Isle of, 267
Yonge Frans, 559
Yonqe Lansier, 559
York, 109, 110, 154, 560
York, H.E.H. Field-Marshal the Duke of,
184, 408, 411, 412 and n.
York River, 72
Yorke, Admiral Sir Joseph Sydney, 387, 493
Yorkshire, 186
Yorktown, 75, 76
Young, Mids. Edward, 102, 104 n.
Young, Lieut. George Forbes Freeman, 562
Young, Lieut. , 137
Young, Admiral Sir George, 193
Young (Mar.), Capt. George, 446 n.
Young, V.-Ad. James (2), 452, 525, 560
Young, U.S.N., Capt. John, 113
Young, Admiral Sir William (1), 169, 193,
203 n., 243, 269 n., 274 n.
Young, V.-Ad. William (2), 454 n.
Yule, Com. John, 370 n.
ZAXTE, 324
Zealand, 558
Zealous, 290, 3^5, 322, 356, 357, 360, 361,
362, 364, 368, 369 n., 373, 377 n., 390,
401, 427 n., 556
Zebra, 110, 247 n., 248, 333 and n., 430,
553, 554
Zetland, 558
Zeemeeuw, 291 and n., 558
Zefir, 558
Zegers, Capt. J. B., 326
Zele, 17, 32, 255 n., 262
Zephyr, 19, 58, 110, 114, 4,30, 432, 517
Zoetemans, Com. Jacob, 295 n.
Zuider Zee, 412, 559
LONDON ; rKIXTED BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND ?OXS, LIMITED, STAMFUUD STltEET
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Clowes, (Sir) William Laird
The royal navy
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